Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has dismissed claims of a crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the recent exit of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the party to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Tambuwal said the decision of the two opposition figures to leave the ADC was personal and should not be interpreted as evidence of internal division within the party.
The former governor spoke on Friday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
PrimeTimes Nigeria reports that the decision of Peter Obi and Kwankwaso, alongside some federal lawmakers, had raised concerns in political circles that the ADC-led opposition coalition was beginning to suffer internal cracks ahead of the general elections.
But Tambuwal rejected the claim, saying the two politicians may have chosen another platform to test their electoral strength.
He said, “I do not believe that it was out of any crack. I believe that they wanted to go to another platform for them to possibly test their popularity with the Nigerian people at the general elections.”
Tambuwal Rejects Atiku Bias Claim
The exits had also triggered claims that the ADC presidential structure had been tilted in favour of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.
Some observers alleged that the party’s direction had already been decided before the contest fully began.
Reacting, Tambuwal said neither Obi nor Kwankwaso publicly accused the ADC of bias.
He said, “I didn’t hear Governor Peter Obi saying so, I didn’t hear Distinguished Rabiu Kwankwaso saying so.”
Tambuwal added, “And if it is an assumption of any individual, observers or public commentators, I believe that with Distinguished Senator David Mark on the saddle as chairman of ADC, a level playing field would have been provided.”
Tambuwal also defended the credibility of former Senate President David Mark, who chairs the ADC.
He said none of the politicians who left the coalition could question Mark’s fairness or integrity.
According to him, the party had maintained stakeholder involvement and no member was shut out of its decision-making process.
The former governor said Obi was allowed to nominate a key officer within the party structure.
He said, “And stakeholder involvement is very clear in ADC. Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, was given an opportunity to bring the National Organising Secretary of the party.”
Tambuwal also questioned claims that the ADC structure was controlled by Atiku’s loyalists.
He said, “Tell me who is it that is at the party that is clearly an Atiku person who is manning either the office of the National Chairman, or the National Secretary, or the Organising Secretary or the legal adviser of the party that is there.
“But Peter Obi was given National Organising Secretary, the heartbeat, the engine room of the party. And he brought the current National Organising Secretary of the party.”