FORMER Governor of Sokoto State and serving Senator, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has broken his silence on his recent encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asserting that he will not be cowed by any political or institutional pressure.
News Point Nigeria reports that addressing journalists in Sokoto upon his return from EFCC custody, Tambuwal described his visit to the anti-graft agency as voluntary, stating that he honoured their invitation on August 6.
According to him, after initial questioning at the EFCC headquarters, he was allowed to return home but asked to report again on August 10 and 11 for further interrogation.
During the follow-up session, Tambuwal said he requested to go home after hours of questioning, but EFCC officials refused, insisting he produce two sureties directors in the Federal Civil Service each with letters of introduction from their employers.
“I told them to go back and tell the chairman of the EFCC that I am a former Speaker of the House of Representatives with an unblemished record, a two-term Governor of Sokoto State, a serving Senator, and a Commander of the Order of the Niger. I should be allowed to go on self-recognition,” Tambuwal recounted.
Despite pleas from his legal team, which included three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the EFCC refused to amend the bail conditions. As a result, he spent the night in detention before securing his release the following morning after meeting the terms.
Tambuwal questioned the motives behind his interrogation, suggesting it was politically orchestrated. He linked it to what he called a “kangaroo commission of inquiry” set up by the current Sokoto State administration to investigate his tenure.
“Why now?” he asked rhetorically, hinting that the EFCC probe was part of a coordinated attempt to discredit him and muzzle voices critical of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He claimed the political landscape in Nigeria was split into two camps: “those with Bola Tinubu and his government, and those with the people of Nigeria.” According to him, he has chosen to stand firmly with the latter.
In a pointed remark, Tambuwal accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of double standards, saying: “Once you join the APC, whatever your sins, they are forgiven.”
He vowed never to be swayed by threats or political enticements, stressing: “I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be blackmailed. No one can tarnish my record.”
The Senator reaffirmed his commitment to what he called the “coalition for national rescue,” indicating he has no plans to realign politically with the ruling party.
