***Says Tambuwal remains a politician of ideology, character, principle
The North-West Zonal Organising Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Hon. Aliyu M. Tukur Gantsa, says top politicians in the region have given up their political independence to President Bola Tinubu. He accused them of doing so for personal survival and selfish interests.
Gantsa said the North-West has lost its political voice and bargaining power. He a many influential politicians now care more about getting favours from the Federal Government than defending their people.
He spoke to journalists in Sokoto ahead of the ADC presidential campaign flag-off for the 2027 elections. He called the situation a betrayal of democratic principles.
He said politics in the region has been reduced to personal survival, defections and political calculations. In his view, ideology and issue-based programmes have been left behind.
Gantsa named several former governors he accused of aligning with Tinubu. From Jigawa, he listed Ali Sa’ad, Saminu Turaki, Sule Lamido and Badaru Abubakar. From Kano, he named Ibrahim Shekarau, Kabiru Gaya, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Abdullahi Ganduje. From Katsina, he named Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Shema.
He also listed former Sokoto governors Attahiru Bafarawa and Aliyu Wamakko. From Kebbi, he named former governors Usman Dakingari and Adamu Aliero, along with the current governor, Nasir Idris.
Only a few politicians, he said, have kept their independence. He named former Kaduna governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Sokoto governor and Senator Aminu Tambuwal.
Gantsa praised Tambuwal in particular. He said Tambuwal’s ideology, character and principles cannot be bent by political pressure or federal influence. He pointed to Tambuwal’s record as Speaker of the House of Representatives, governor and now senator as proof of his commitment to public service.
He also recalled the 2022 Peoples Democratic Party presidential primary, when Tambuwal withdrew from the race in favour of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. Gantsa called it an act of political maturity and patriotism. He said Tambuwal put national interest above personal ambition.
Gantsa said the region’s falling influence is partly the fault of its political elite. He said they failed to defend the North-West when it mattered most.
He listed the region’s major problems as insecurity, banditry, youth unemployment, industrial decline in Kano and Kaduna, widespread poverty and a rising number of out-of-school children. He said these need courageous, ideology-driven leadership.
He warned that the region will keep losing relevance in national affairs unless its leaders drop personal interests and put the people’s welfare first.