Former Sokoto State Governor and Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has said Nigeria is currently failing its citizens across all arms of government, declaring that the executive, legislature and judiciary are all falling short of public expectations.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Monday, Tambuwal spoke as he marked his 60th birthday, reflecting on Nigeria’s democratic decline, electoral failures and the responsibility of leadership across all arms of government.
He said the country’s present condition was far from what many political actors and citizens envisaged, despite years of democratic governance.
“Let me be very honest with you. As of today, it is all the three arms of government. There were times in the past when one arm would wobble and another would step in through checks and balances. But today, as of today, all the levels are failing,” he said.
Tambuwal identified the electoral process as one of the most damaging policy areas Nigeria has mishandled, arguing that flawed elections have weakened democracy and governance.
“Part of the policy decisions that have negatively impacted Nigeria is the electoral process. Closely related to this is governance and what we are finding today.”
He also criticised the removal of fuel subsidy by the current administration, describing it as poorly planned and insensitive.
“The way the current administration removed fuel subsidy was without any alternative, without any framework, without thinking through, and without consultation. As of the time it was done, it was clear the President was only interested in removing it without any plan.”
The senator said Nigerians’ declining faith in elections was justified, noting that results are often distorted at multiple stages of the electoral process.
“It is not completely decided by the electorate. I can say that without missing words. From polling units to wards, local governments, states and even at the national level, things happen that misrepresent what voters actually voted for.”
He blamed both politicians and institutions, particularly the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
“It is a combination of both. Politicians exploit loopholes wherever they exist. INEC also has challenges, from failure of technology, late commencement of elections, failure to transmit results, and compromise of officials.”
Tambuwal said he fully supports electronic transmission of results, even if it costs him personally.
“I wholeheartedly support any reform that will improve the electoral process, including electronic transmission, even if I lose an election because of it.”
Responding to criticisms of political defections, Tambuwal defended his past decisions to change parties, insisting they were driven by fairness and principles.
“In 2003, the process was not fair to me. I lost because of an unfair process, so I left. We tested our popularity and we won.”
“In 2007, our political leader said I was not popular enough. We tested it again and we won. In 2011, I had no issues and remained in PDP. In 2015, I was part of the process that led to the formation of APC because of my convictions about governance.”
He dismissed claims that political parties in Nigeria are ideologically driven.
“I have serious doubts about party ideology in Nigeria. Most parties are just vehicles or conveyor belts for winning power.”
Tambuwal addressed speculation about his relationship with Rivers State Minister Nyesom Wike, stating clearly that Wike did not impose conditions while supporting him during the 2019 PDP primaries.
“Let me say this possibly for the first time publicly: when I ran in 2019, Governor Wike never requested to be my running mate. He never imposed any condition. He never demanded control of government.”
“He supported me because he believed I had the capacity to do the job.”
On the emerging ADC-led opposition coalition, Tambuwal said he was consulting widely and insisted the process must be transparent.
“I believe in clear and transparent primaries. Whoever emerges, all of us in the coalition will support that candidate.”
He rejected claims that the party would fail without a specific candidate.
“I don’t agree that the ADC will be stuck with spent forces. What we need is a credible process.”
On zoning, he argued that Nigeria must prioritise competence over sentiment.
“If your mother is critically ill, will you ask for a doctor from your tribe or the best doctor available? That is the situation Nigeria is in today.”
Tambuwal criticised the US airstrike in parts of Sokoto State, saying it was unjustified and based on faulty intelligence.
“I don’t see the justification. If that intelligence came from the Nigerian government, then it was very wrong.”
He noted that the worst-hit areas of banditry were not targeted.
“The most troubled areas are in eastern Sokoto, not where the attack happened.”
On bandit kingpin Bello Turji, Tambuwal said negotiations should not be conducted from a position of weakness.
“We should not negotiate with bandits from a weak position. We should subdue them first, then come to the table.”
Tambuwal welcomed international scrutiny of Nigeria’s elections, noting its impact in 2015.
“International intervention helped shape the 2015 election. I expect similar engagement to ensure free, fair and credible elections, without direct interference.”
Reflecting on his political journey, Tambuwal said his goal has always been service.
“What I want history to say is that I was selfless, that I invested in human capital development and shaped the youth towards a better future. My fear is to be judged otherwise.”
Boluwatife Enome
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