‘VP Shettima Said When Goodluck Jonathan Wanted To Remove Him, I Stood My Ground’ - Tambuwal

A Sokoto State senator has revealed how he supported the current VP when former President Goodluck Jonathan attempted to remove him as Borno State governor.

Senator Aminu Tambuwal, during an interview with Channels TV, reflected on his history of standing firm against political pressure “How did I become the speaker of the House of Representatives? I was even tear-gassed as speaker of this country, all in our efforts to make sure that the right thing is done,” Tambuwal recounted.

The senator specifically recalled defending Shettima during Jonathan’s administration. “The vice president, Kashim Shettima, had said it before a few weeks ago when the then president, Goodluck Jonathan, wanted to remove him; I stood my ground,” he revealed.

Tambuwal positioned his actions as part of a broader commitment to democratic principles. “I remain that person that believes in democracy, rule of law, and good governance. And no one, no agency, can intimidate me to abandon that cause, and I’m not doing it just for myself. I believe that what is going on in this country is not right,” he stated.

Tambuwal used his own political journey to illustrate his willingness to sacrifice personal advancement for principle. He described his dramatic departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC) while serving as a sitting governor from the Northwest, the same region as then-President Muhammadu Buhari. “And that is how I left APC in August 2018, even as a sitting governor from the Northwest, where the president of blessed memory was from. If I had wanted to remain in APC to seek a second term, I could have done so,” he explained.

The decision to switch to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came from ideological concerns rather than political opportunism, according to Tambuwal. “But I left and decided to join PDP because I believed that, even as at then, the APC administration was derailing,” he said.

The former governor of Sokoto state said that the EFCC charges against him are being extended to many political opposition leaders across the country. He described this practice as open knowledge, explaining that authorities attempt to blackmail non-compliant politicians by presenting them with charges to intimidate them into changing their positions.

The former governor expressed that he was not surprised by the charges against him and stated that such tactics would not deter him from continuing on what he believes is the right path for the country's benefit. He suggested that intimidated politicians often alter their public stance after being confronted with potential legal action.