Tambuwal says ADC structure not built for Atiku, defends coalition exits

Former Sokoto State Governor and politician Aminu Tambuwal has dismissed claims of a crisis within the African Democratic Congress.

This is as he insisted that recent defections of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso from the party to the National Democratic Congress were based on personal decisions rather than internal divisions.

The departures of the two opposition figures, alongside several federal lawmakers, have fueled concerns that cracks may be emerging within the ADC-led coalition ahead of the general elections.

Reacting during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Tambuwal said the exits were not driven by internal disagreement within the party.

“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.”

The developments had sparked claims in some political circles that the ADC presidential structure was already tilted in favour of Atiku Abubakar, with observers alleging the party’s direction had been settled before the contest fully began.

Addressing the speculation, Tambuwal rejected suggestions that the ADC had been structured to favour Atiku, insisting that neither Obi nor Kwankwaso publicly accused the party of bias.

“I didn’t hear Governor Peter Obi saying so, I didn’t hear Distinguished Rabiu Kwankwaso saying so,” he stated.

He added: “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.”

Tambuwal also defended the credibility of former Senate President David Mark, saying those who left the coalition could not question his fairness.

He further insisted that no member of the party was excluded from decision-making within the ADC.

“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.

“But 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,” he said.

Earlier on Friday while Tambuwal during a strategic stakeholders’ meeting attended by party loyalists, community leaders, youth representatives and political associates, relinquished the party’s senatorial ticket to former Commissioner for Finance, Faruk Malami-Yabo, following days of consultations and disagreements over the selection of candidates for the 2027 general elections.