Tambuwal defects to APC, picks card Tuesday
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, speaker of the house of representatives, has finally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
TheCable was reliably informed that he will be issued his APC membership card on Tuesday morning at his ward in Tambuwal, his hometown, before he heads for Abuja for the plenary of the house same day.
The defection took place on Monday in his home state, Sokoto, with the speaker officially attending the APC stakeholders’ meeting.
Also at the meeting were Aliyu Wamakko, governor of Sokoto state, and Inuwa Abdulkadir, former minister of youth development.
Some members of the house of reps are expected to defect along with him from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Abdulkadir, Tambuwal and Wamakko at the APC stakeholders meeting in Sokoto on Monday (NAN PHOTO)
When contacted, his spokesman, Imam Imam, told TheCable on phone that “it was a stakeholders meeting”, citing the attendance of former finance minister, Alhaji Alhaji, as an indication that it was not partisan.
“Tambuwal has always attended APC stakeholders meetings,” he said.
He later issued a statement saying “consultations continue” on the future of the speaker.
The full text of his statement: “Due to various media inquiries about the purported defection of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, we wish to state the following:
“That today, Monday, 20/10/2014, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, led other members of the party to a reconciliation meeting in Sokoto but the Speaker of the House of Representatives and a member of the NEC of the PDP, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal CFR, was not invited to the meeting.
“That Rt. Hon Speaker Aminu Waziri Tambuwal was later invited by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, to attend the meeting of their political family to discuss the political future of Sokoto State.
“That the Speaker, Rt. Hon Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, duly obliged and attended the meeting.
“That the meeting had in attendance prominent Sokoto citizens many of who have no known political affiliation. The most notable been the Sardauna of Sokoto and former Minister of Finance, Alhaji Abubakar Alhaji.
“That consultations on the Speaker’s political future continue and the outcome will be made public at the appropriate time.”
However, TheCable can report that after the meeting, Tambuwal headed for his hometown to register as a ward member of the opposition party.
He is not expected to make an official announcement of his defection on the floor of the house on Tuesday, contrary to our earlier report.
Meanwhile, it was agreed at the meeting that all candidates of the party for the 2015 elections will be adopted by consensus.
It is speculated that Tambuwal will now go for governorship in Sokoto instead of the presidential ticket of APC.
Well, it is a welcoming development to APC, and it’s members, nationwide. I personally have respect for Mr Speaker.
Thıs ıs defınıtly no news because he has been a rebel speaker hobnobbing wıth the opposıtıon for many months.He ıs a dısloyal party member n we don’t want hıs type ın our great party.
Just bcos someone1 does not share your ideas or does not agree with you opinions does not make them a REBEL. after he has not hold Arm or instigate or cause a commotion
What do you mean by being a rebel speaker? A beg, he is just not being a partisan speaker. It is a strategy bro, pls gear up and wake your senses
In fairness to Tambuwal, PDP has not done anything for him since he became an honorable, even his emergence as the Speaker was made possible by the opposition.
Moreso, he can do nothing without his people, the body language of his people is saying no to PDP, if he tries anything on such rejected platform, his name would become failure!
Politics is a game, the only thing he can do is to follow the political party that would take him to the next level.
Its a welcome idea & am in support of Mr speaker. GMB 4 2015 president by God grace!!!
Its a very good idea,u are welcome sir to the winning party
This is getting interesting, 9c move 4 apc
this is a brilliant descission. for even droping his presidential ambition and vie for governor. Buhari is the answer to Nigeia difficulties
this is what we call politics
Welcome 2 de party that ve missions and visions Mr. Speaker may GOD help us defeat PDP in Nigeria.
Tambuwal has always belonged to the APC. And he’s been doing well as the speaker of the house of reps. He’d have been a good APC presidential candidate. Is he going to stop being the speaker now?
Nigeria politics is getting intresting & its on a wat i call-‘high hyperactivities’ dat one has to sit on d hedge of a table not even a sit. I know d pdp guys will be jitterry now dat its seems d road is almost clear for Buahri to pick apc,only if he pick a credible south-south present gov.if not…eem. To me nice move by d speaker.
Let Tambuwa move to APC we the P.D.P we don’t need people like Tambuwal common speaker, his noting to Jonathan, GEJ ride ON we belong to you, ndi igbo kwenu?
Yes it is now true that we moving in the right direction, we are always behind Mr. Speaker.
I totally Agee with the speaker’s decision
Am in total agreement with this decision of Mr speaker
Every right thinking Nigerian will not be suprised or dissapointedwith the decamping of Tambuwal to APC, he has been APC member right from day one as Speaker of House of Rep. Afterall, its APC that made him the speaker, he is only removing his traitor dress to come out in his true colour. Peace will now reign in PDP as its fifth colunmist have left with his cohorts. Jonathan is now knowing those enemies who have showing the face of a friend.
Make sure u do not go alone so as 2 secure majority in z house and maintain ur seat.
Welcome to the winning and deserable party, we are proud of you mutawalle
Well thats good news to Apc. But remember we are still in Nigerians politics.
Hasbunal Lahu Wa Ni’imal Wakil.
In fairness to Tambuwal, PDP has not done anything for him since he became an honorable, even his emergence as the Speaker was made possible by the opposition.
Moreso, he can do nothing without his people, the body language of his people is saying no to PDP, if he tries anything on such rejected platform, his name would become failure!
Politics is a game, the only thing he can do is to follow the political party that would take him to the next level.