Tambuwal: I will Back Atiku Over Wike on Nigeria’s Leadership
Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has declared his preference for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, when it comes to leadership decisions concerning Nigeria’s future.
Speaking during a political interview on Friday, Tambuwal emphasized that his political decisions are guided by principle rather than personal relationships.
“When it comes to the leadership of this country and leadership of the people, tomorrow—not even today—I would rather support Atiku than Nyesom Wike,” he stated.
Although Tambuwal and Wike have maintained a seemingly cordial relationship, tensions emerged in 2023 when Wike openly criticised Tambuwal, Atiku, and former Senate President Bukola Saraki. Wike accused the trio of reneging on an internal agreement within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to zone the presidential ticket to the South.
“There’s nobody contesting for the presidency from the North that I do not have a relationship with… that I don’t support,” Wike said at the time. “But if we agree on something, let’s keep to it.”
Wike also recalled supporting Tambuwal’s bid for Speaker of the House of Representatives, even when the PDP leadership had other preferences.
Responding to past political disagreements, Tambuwal clarified that his choices have always been based on principles, not personal grievances.
“It is a collaboration; it is not something difficult. Once it is about being altruistic and nothing personal. You have never seen me going against President Bola Tinubu personally, and you have never heard of me going against Nyesom Wike personally,” he said.
Citing former President Goodluck Jonathan as an example, Tambuwal explained that their differences were policy-driven.
“We disagreed on principle, the way and the direction things were going. I had no personal problem with Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, but we disagreed, and I left the PDP for the APC,” he said.
Tambuwal further underscored the distinction between personal friendship and leadership decisions.
“It is not about my friendship with you, and I say this with all sense of responsibility. If Atiku Abubakar walks in here and Wike requests my phone—which is personal to me—I will personally give it to Wike as a personal friend.”