TheCable

A political group, identified as the Tambuwal Consolidation Team (TCT), has called on Nigerians to support Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto, as president in the 2023 election.

Although Tambuwal is yet to officially declare his intention to contest the presidency, the Sokoto governor has said he is consulting on the matter.

According to a statement signed by Buhari Dasuki and Fabian Okoye, national coordinator and national secretary, respectively, the group said Tambuwal will use his legislative experience to tackle the country’s challenges.

Tambuwal was speaker of the house of representatives between 2011 and 2015,

The group said the governor, if elected president, will work closely with the legislature for the benefit of citizens.

“Tambuwal Consolidation Team (TCT) is calling on Nigerians to support the bid of governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for the presidency of the federal republic of Nigeria,” the statement reads. 

“Governor Tambuwal has traversed the legislative and executive policy spaces. He led the house of representatives as speaker at a very turbulent period in the history of Nigeria. 

“He restored the prestige of the legislature and was responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians. His legislative experience will come in handy if he becomes president. We are in an emergency.

“The president must work closely with the national assembly to quicken the resolution of our key national challenges. Time is not on our side.

“He has shown that he is capable of providing strong, progressive and steadfast leadership. His record in the house of representatives is unassailable. He is transforming Sokoto state into a modern state. 

“Infrastructural projects have either been completed or in the process of being completed across the 23 local governments of the state to address the developmental challenges of the state. Sokoto state is the second best state in Nigeria in the ease of doing business.

“He has reformed the state civil service and mainstreamed ICT in the operations of the bureaucracy. He has worked with the security agencies to degrade the bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements making life unbearable for  citizens of Sokoto State in the Eastern flank of the state.

“Tambuwal is an acclaimed bridge builder and unapologetic unifier. He is in a good position to deploy his skills and warm disposition to bring our people together. 

“Nigeria has never been this divided. Political forces/interests have been manipulating and exploiting our faultlines for their interests. Their desperate moves may lead to a divided Nigeria if not arrested now. A Tambuwal presidency will restore the sense of oneness, patriotism and unity in Nigerians.”

The group also described Tambuwal as a good manager of the economy, citing references to his achievements as governor.

“Governor Tambuwal is a great economic manager. He deployed his economic wizardry and restored the financial credibility of the house of representatives during his tenure,” they said.

“As Governor, he moved Sokoto state from one of the highly indebted states to one of the least indebted states in Nigeria. His reform efforts are paying off as the Internally Generated Revenue of the state has risen. Sokoto state is now a destination of choice for businesses and investors.

“He is a democrat in words and action. His negotiation and consensus building skills are second to none. As chairman of the PDP governors Forum, he played a pivotal role in negotiating a smooth path to the highly successful PDP national convention. His words are always measured, accommodative and respectful. Nigeria needs a cool-headed person like governor Tambuwal in this difficult and challenging time.

“Despite governor Tambuwal’s meteoric rise in politics and his achievements, he remains humble and simple. He is compassionate and ever ready to listen and address the problems of the weak, vulnerable and underserved persons in our society. His heart bleeds at the condition of the poor in our society. He wants our youths to get access to free and qualitative education to prepare them for the challenges of the future. He is sad at the lack of progress in many areas.”