Hours after being freed from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) custody, former Sokoto state governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal triumphantly entered the northwest state.
Recall that during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023, Tambuwal was called before the EFCC for alleged illicit cash withdrawals totaling ₦189 billion.
The EFCC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition party also connected to Tambuwal, had heated discussions following the arrest of the PDP chieftain.
In order to welcome the former governor, PDP supporters reportedly assembled at Sultan Abubakar International Airport in Sokoto on Thursday.
As early as 12:10 p.m., supporters from the state’s 23 local government districts crowded the airport, speaking about “Sokoto sai Mutawalle,” “Tambuwal ne Jagoran Siyasar Sokoto,” and “Tambuwal is the leader of Sokoto politics.”
After traveling for over five hours to reach his home in the Gawon Nama area, which is typically a twenty-minute drive, Senator Tambuwal arrived at the airport at around 1:30 pm on Aero Contractors airline.
“My action is in tune with public wishes and opinion as a Nigerian and in order to reposition and right the wrongs with like minds,” Tambuwal said in a speech to supporters. I still firmly believe in democracy and responsible leadership.
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The Senator emphasized that the initiative was designed to make sure things are done correctly, explaining that the alliance was founded on the determination of patriotic professionals with similar views.
“Some forces want to intimidate some of us because they are uncomfortable with the journey,” he stated.
Mohammad Abdullahi, a PDP supporter, told Blueprint that the former governor’s detention was the result of a political witch hunt.
“This would not derail our journey towards a better Nigeria,” he continued. We support Tambuwal.
He said, “I am happy you said ‘alleged,'” in response to the question of whether it wasn’t shameful that they were waiting in line behind a suspected looter. There is no such claim.
Musa Ibrahim, an APC member in Sokoto, criticized Senator Tambuwal’s valiant greeting.
“What kind of welcome is this?” he asked. We won’t wait for the results of the investigation against this person. Dismissing his arrest as a witch hunt is incorrect. For Allah’s sake, we are taking N189 billion here.
“Yes, he remains innocent until proven guilty, but this kind of hero’s welcome is sending a negative message and promoting bad governance.”
