Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has dismissed suggestions of a crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that the recent exits of key political figures, including Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, were personal decisions and not evidence of internal division.
The departures of the two opposition heavyweights, alongside some federal lawmakers, had sparked speculation of cracks within the ADC-led coalition ahead of the general elections.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Tambuwal said the moves were driven by political ambition rather than conflict within the party.
“I do not believe that it was out of any crack. I believe that they wanted to go to another platform to possibly test their popularity with the Nigerian people at the general elections,” he said.
The exits had also fuelled claims in some political circles that the ADC structure was being positioned in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, an allegation some observers say may have influenced the defections.
But Tambuwal rejected the claim that the party was skewed against any aspirant, noting that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso publicly accused the ADC of bias.
“I didn’t hear Governor Peter Obi saying so, I didn’t hear Distinguished Rabiu Kwankwaso saying so,” he said. “If it is an assumption by observers or public commentators, I believe that with Senator David Mark as chairman, a level playing field would have been provided.”
He also defended the credibility of former Senate President David Mark, arguing that the politicians who left the coalition had no basis to question his integrity or fairness.
Tambuwal further maintained that all stakeholders were given room to participate in party decisions, adding that Obi was even allowed to nominate the party’s National Organising Secretary.
“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,” he said.
“Tell me who is at the party that is clearly an Atiku person who is manning the office of National Chairman, National Secretary, Organising Secretary or Legal Adviser?”
He added that Obi had played a role in selecting the current National Organising Secretary, describing it as evidence of inclusiveness within the party structure.
