Former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, has dismissed claims of a crisis within the African Democratic Congress-led coalition, insisting that the exit of some opposition figures was based on personal political decisions rather than internal divisions.
Tambuwal stated this while reacting to the recent defection of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Kwankwaso, from the ADC coalition to the National Democratic Congress ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The defections, alongside those of several federal lawmakers, had triggered speculation about possible cracks within the opposition alliance and allegations that the ADC structure was already tilted in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Tambuwal rejected the claims, maintaining that the party remained united.
“I do not believe that it was out of any crack. I believe that they wanted to go to another platform for them to possibly test their popularity with the Nigerian people at the general elections,” he said.
The former governor also dismissed suggestions that the ADC had been structured to favour Atiku’s presidential ambition, noting that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso publicly accused the party of bias before leaving.
“I didn’t hear Governor Peter Obi saying so, I didn’t hear Distinguished Rabiu Kwankwaso saying so,” Tambuwal stated.
He added that under the leadership of former Senate President David Mark, the party would have guaranteed fairness for all aspirants.
“And if it is an assumption of any individual, observers or public commentators, I believe that with Distinguished Senator David Mark on the saddle as chairman of ADC, a level playing field would have been provided,” he added.
Tambuwal further defended the internal structure of the coalition, insisting that stakeholders from different blocs were adequately represented in the party’s leadership.
According to him, Obi was allowed to nominate the National Organising Secretary of the party, which he described as one of the most strategic positions within the ADC structure.
“And 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.
“Tell me who is it that is at the party that is clearly an Atiku person who is manning either the office of the National Chairman, or the National Secretary, or the Organising Secretary or the legal adviser of the party that is there,” he said.
Tambuwal added, “Peter Obi was given National Organising Secretary, the heartbeat, the engine room of the party. And he brought the current National Organising Secretary of the party.”
Meanwhile, Tambuwal also confirmed that he had relinquished the party’s senatorial ticket to former Sokoto State Commissioner for Finance, Faruk Malami-Yabo.
The decision was announced during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting attended by party loyalists, youth representatives, community leaders and political associates.
The development followed days of consultations and disagreements surrounding the selection of candidates ahead of the 2027 elections.
