The Speaker of House of Representatives,
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has announced
his withdrawal from the 2015 presidential
race for now, ending the horse trading
since his defection to the opposition All
Progressives Congress (APC) from the
ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP)
three weeks ago.
Confirming LEADERSHIP’s story of
Tuesday, Tambuwal also disclosed that
he is withdrawing from the presidential
race after wide consultation.
Tambuwal, however, heightened suspense
as he was silent on his rumoured bid to
contest the Sokoto State governorship
position as a fall back plan despite
assurances by party chieftains in the
state that arrangements had been
concluded for him to declare for the
governorship on APC platform.
In a 15-paragraph press statement
personally signed by the speaker
yesterday evening, he said: “Having
consulted widely, taking into consideration
the concerns of some elders of the party,
I have decided to suspend my
participation in the presidential contest
for now.”
He added that his decision was taken as
a sacrifice for the cohesion and unity of
the APC, saying he was suspending his
participation in the presidential race for
now because he does not have any
inordinate ambition to occupy any office.
“Nigeria is a country too great to sacrifice
on the altar of partisan politics and
personal ambition. What anyone becomes
in life is exclusively in the hands of God.
Only God gives power to whoever he
pleases,” he said.
Tambuwal appealed to his associates,
colleagues, supporters, admirers and
friends nationwide to show some
understanding over his decision.
“It has not been easy coming to this
decision and I very well understand the
frustration, disappointment and disbelief
of many who have committed so much to
the project including sacrificing not only
their physical, financial and intellectual
resources but indeed their personal
ambitions in the 2015 electoral contest.”
Recall that Tambuwal on Friday accepted
the APC presidential nomination and
expression of interest forms which was
purchased on his behalf by some House
members and political associates.
Meanwhile, paying tribute to the APC
presidential aspirants, Tambuwal said:
“There is no doubt that they are all
eminently qualified.
“I pledge my loyalty to our party the APC
and cooperation with my uncles and
senior brothers and colleagues who are
already in the race for the APC
presidential ticket : I refer to General
Muhamadu Buhari, Alh Atiku Abubakar,
Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso,
Governor Rochas Okorocha and Mr Sam
Nda-Isaiah,” Tambuwal said.
Speaking on the problems facing the
country, Tambuwal said: “Over the past
three and a half years of presiding over
359 equals, I often had occasion to
discuss peculiar constituency problems
with my colleagues but most importantly I
have visited over 300 hundred Federal
constituencies across the country and
seen for myself abject poverty of our
people particularly the majority of the
population that reside in the rural areas. I
have experienced, first hand, total
absence of essential social facilities and
decaying infrastructure, where they exist
at all, and observed hopelessness in the
eyes of millions of
citizens. I deeply feel the pulse of
dejection of our people”.
Tambuwal expressed optimism that if the
APC takes over control of government, the
progressive spirit and teamwork of the
party would spur Nigeria to overcome its
challenges.
Leadership.
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