Sokoto State Governor, Aminu
Tambuwal, on Wednesday publicly declared his exit from the All Progressives
Congress (APC).
The former House of Reps Speaker
announced that he had returned to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
The development is the climax of
Tambuwal’s face-off with his political godfather and former Governor, Senator
Aliyu Wamakko.
Informed sources had revealed to us that Tambuwal is eyeing the PDP presidential ticket.
In his speech, Tambuwal explained
why he took the decision.
Full text below…
“Politicians and political
leaders, groups and group leaders, stakeholders in the development of our state
and our nation, fellow indigenes of Sokoto State and citizens of our great
country, members of the press, ladies and gentlemen. It is with gratitude to
Almighty Allah, our Sustainer that I address you on a matter of great
importance to our nation at this auspicious moment in our political history. I
stand before you with a heavy heart, wishing I had cheery words of progress,
instead of the sad report that I am constrained to give you on the situation of
our dear nation.
2. The struggle for democracy is
one that began with our fight for independence as a sovereign nation. To this
end, the blood, freedom and other liberties of our past heroes and contemporary
veterans were sacrificed. The current dispensation began in 1999, as the
watershed of our toil, which granted to us a democratic system that is striving
to evolve and survive.
3. Through those years the forces
of genuine change gravitated and by 2015, merged to ensure a transition of
power that Nigerians hoped would herald a new order of true democracy under an
atmosphere of justice, peace, equity and the rule of law. The leaders of that
coalition represented and symbolized the aspiration of Nigerians for progress
and prosperity under one united, indivisible nation.
4. As the speaker of the House of
Representatives then, I left my comfort zone to be involved in the struggle for
the enthronement of purposeful leadership for the citizens of our dear country.
6. Now, almost four years into
what ought to be a new order as desired and elected by Nigerians, the nation is
unfortunately going through the most difficult and precarious times, since the
Civil war; with ethno, religious and regional distrust at its highest ebb.
7. This development had often
been blamed on political opponents. Meanwhile, there are issues of brazen
inequity and capacity and questionable distribution of appointments/projects.
This is in addition to lack of statesmanship in responding to national issues,
among other things that are for aggravating the anomaly.
8. In line with the best
traditions in any major political decision, especially by a serving elected
Governor, I have painstakingly consulted far and wide, on whether the present
political platform is a viable vehicle for achieving the aspiration of our
people.
9. It is because I am convinced
that no nation can thrive while there is inequity and bad governance; because I
am saddened by the fact that lethargy, incompetence and sustained denial of
obvious leadership missteps have become the major raw materials with which the
Nigerian State is being run today; because I am unwilling to be part of
frightful conspiracy against the cohesion of the Nigerian State, Nigerian
youths and peoples; because I am unable to feel at ease in the face of a
progressively divided nation and, above all, because I am totally unable to
reconcile myself to a national leadership that offers no redeeming moral beacons
that I am here with you today; to announce withdrawal of my membership of the
All Progressives Congress and return to the People’s Democratic Party.
10. I speak to you today with a
mixture of sadness and relief because I did not expect that the APC, which
promised so much when the People’s Democratic party (PDP) stood under the sway
of impunity, could not maintain or manage whatever good it inherited. It has
also not broken new grounds in any positive sense but has instead reached
historically unprecedented heights of impunity in all manner of vices far above
and beyond the challenges which made some of us to leave the PDP about four
years ago to join others to form the APC. The party has brazenly turned itself
into a sanctuary for the corrupt and a machine for rigging and for the rape of
democracy.
11. Let me also put it on record
that all attempts to discuss the electoral promises of the APC-led government,
including the restructuring of the country as promised Nigerians and as
contained in the APC manifesto, have proved abortive.
12. Beyond that, I cannot look
those who elected me as their Governor here in Sokoto State in the face and
boldly point to any meaningful Federal Projects initiated in the state under
the APC government. Even the bulk of uncompleted Federal Projects here that
were inherited from the previous administration have largely remained in their
state of neglect. Sokoto State is also not being meaningfully carried along in
political appointments and in other matters of national importance.
13. Like most states of the
North, and indeed the entire federation, elders and traditional institutions
have come under measured disrespect. The recent attack in Tabinnii in Rabah LGA
of Sokoto State, the routine invasion of Zamfara State by armed bandits, the
now-regular killing of policemen by unknown gunmen all over the country, the
regular massacre of innocent people in the North East axis and many similar
daily incidents, do not attract much attention any more.
14. Good governance, viz-a-viz
economic wellbeing of our people, remains the major reason for my action of
today. Information from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) shows that over
nine million jobs have been lost in the last 3 years, since the APC Government
came into office. While youth unemployment rate was 11.70 per cent during the
fourth quarter of 2014, it rose to 33.10 per cent in third quarter of 2017
under the APC Government. The economy is not showing any real signs of
improvement. Our educational and health institutions are in retreat. Poverty is
on rampage and still ravages the land. It is unacceptable that majority of
those who voted for APC in 2015 should have nothing good to show for it.
15. As in the past, it is only my
interest in equity, the wellbeing of Nigerians and a befitting future for our
teeming youths, national unity and economic prosperity that has led to my new
locus in Nigerian politics today. We all have a duty to do our best, while
nudging our political parties to progressively align political contests in
Nigeria along clear ideological lines; such that sooner rather than later the
aspirations and the will of our people will be the only determinant of election
outcomes.
16. Let me at this juncture state
emphatically that I return to the PDP with a clear conscience today, because
the party has learnt some bitter lessons and noted what mistakes it must avoid
in the future. It is now a repositioned and forward-looking political party to
which I now pledge loyalty, in my resolve to contribute towards improving the
lives of Nigerians and expanding opportunities for the youths. It is only by
working together as agents of development that we can promote excellence,
competence, good governance and enthronement of genuine democracy to save
Nigeria.
17. I thank you for your
understanding, support, prayers and your continued faith in the Nigerian
Project. May Almighty Allah guide and protect us.”
Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com