Aminu Tambuwal, senator and former governor of Sokoto, says the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) cannot tarnish his record of public service.
Tambuwal spoke in Sokoto on Thursday during a reception held
in his honour after he was released on bail by the anti-graft agency.
He said he voluntarily honoured the EFCC invitation on
August 6 and returned to the anti-graft agency’s office on August 11 as
requested.
“I went there on my own volition. I was interrogated and
allowed to return home. On the next visit, I was told to bring sureties for
bail,” he said.
The senator said he pleaded to be granted bail on personal
recognisance, given his record as former speaker of the house of
representatives, two-term governor and a serving senator.
“I told them I was Speaker for four years, governor for
eight years, and now a senator. I’m a Commander of the Federal Republic. I
deserve respect,” he said.
“But the chairman of the EFCC declined. They insisted I must
bring two federal directors with letters of introduction and other conditions.”
He said, despite appeals by his lawyer, a senior advocate,
he was denied bail and taken into custody.
“I was taken to cell A23, where I rested till the next
morning,” he added.
‘WHY NOW?’
Tambuwal, a member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC)
opposition coalition, said he eventually met the bail conditions and was
released, but questioned the motive behind his arrest.
“Why now? Why at this moment?” he asked.
He said the Sokoto state government had earlier constituted
a “kangaroo commission of inquiry” that failed, and alleged that the fresh move
by the EFCC was politically motivated.
Tambuwal said he and his allies have chosen to stand with
the Nigerian people, and not with the purveyors of the current “bad
governance”.
“There are two sides in Nigeria today — those in government
and those with the people. We chose the people,” he said.
“Once you join APC, all your sins are forgiven. Is that what
we should do to be safe?”
He said no one can distort his public record.
“From my time as minority leader in 2006, to deputy chief
whip in 2007, to Speaker in 2011, and then governor till 2023 — I have served
this country diligently,” he said.
“I will take on anyone trying to smear my name. I will not
be blackmailed or intimidated.”
Tambuwal described the APC government as anti-people and
lacking empathy.
“They want to appear invincible. But Nigerians are not
fools,” he said.
He accused the President Bola Tinubu administration of
ignoring federal character in appointments and pushing unfair policies.
“In any case, the election was rigged. We will not allow
that to happen again,” he said.
He said the opposition remains committed to democratic
principles and ensuring the people’s votes count in 2027.
“By the grace of God, we will end this misgovernance,”
Tambuwal said.
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