As the storm in the All Progressives Congress (APC) continues to rage, the battle line has been drawn between National Leader of the party, Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the former Speaker of the House and current Governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal.
According to Thisday, Tambuwal had visited Tinubu at his Asokoro, Abuja residence two
weeks after Yakubu Dogara edged the APC’s preferred candidate, Femi Gbajabiamila to emerge Speaker of the House of Representatives.
According to the report, Tinubu, visibly miffed over an alleged gang up against Gbajabiamila by several party members including Tambuwal.
Tinubu was quoted as saying: “With what you did to Femi in the House, you have severed the umbilical cord joining you with the South-West.”
A source who is privy to the goings-on on the said day revealed that Tinibuy, who was in company of several Northern leaders, told Tambuwal: “Did you people in the House do this in anticipation of 2019…It is too early. You should allow this government to succeed.”
Tinubu, after lampooning Tambuwal for working in concert with Governor Abdulazeez Yari of Zamfara into convincing lawmakers from their respective states to vote for Dogara, went on to recount how Gbajabiamila was instrumental in Tambuwal’s emergence as Speaker in 2011.
In 2011, Tinubu, acting on recommendation from Abike Dabiri-Erewa had began canvassing support for Mulikat Adeola-Akande, but Gbajabiamila approched the former Lagos State Governor, putting in a good word for Tambuwal.
Tinubu’s grudge with Tambuwal is said to also be connected with his emergence as Sokoto State Governor.
According to rumour mills, Tinubu had approached former Sokoto Governor, Aliyu Wamakko, telling him to throw his support behind Tambuwal’s gubernatorial aspiration as a result of his face-off with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The source also revealed that Tinubu had personally paid the N21 million presidential nomination form for Tambuwal, in the eventuality that Muhammadu Buhari steps down from his presidential bid.
Tambuwal, who felt embarrased at the Tinubu’s open confrontation was quoted as saiying: ”it appears this is not a good time to come and see you,. I’ll come back again some other time.”
