By Dipo Ajeniya

His overwhelming clout in the political circle, long before the present, has remained a subject of discourse among not only individuals and political bigwigs, but also among political parties and institutions of great repute. His name is Alhaji Aminu Tambuwal, the Executive Governor of Sokoto State. Here is a man, whose political sagacity has seen him occupy almost the biggest positions of political discipline, and can conveniently boast of cutting his political kingdom across the three arms of government including the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary.

It is imperative to note that Tambuwal, a trained barrister at law, has functioned peremptorily in the judiciary before venturing into politics to become a member of the legislature, rising through the echelon of legislative powers to become the Speaker of the House of Representatives, a position that placed him as the number four citizen of the nation.

After his meritorious relationship with the legislature, he switched effortlessly to the executive, becoming the executive governor of Sokoto State. Tambuwal, arguably is one politician that has tested the activities of the three main organs of government, at the topmost levels, and has remained as clean as a whistle.

Known to abhor territories where stain is eminent, and always calculative on timing to suit the political exigencies, not for himself, but the good people of his immediate constituency and the nation at large, Tambuwa was ready to take a decision of a lifetime. Consequently, in 2014 as the drums of the 2015 elections beat louder, he made a switch from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC), ostensibly populated by progressive minds, who were believed to live above board, and had the interest of the nation at heart. It was believed that with incumbent president, Muhammadu Buhari as the arrowhead of the party then, Nigeria was in for the best era of its history.

Buhari’s image in the years presiding 2015, especially 2014, loomed large, and he was seen as the proverbial Mr Integrity, who could do no wrong. His followership was beyond imagination, cutting across all strata of human endeavours and ethnic as well as religious affiliation. He was toast to not a few. That was the Buhari of 2014. The same person and image Tambuwal has become in 2022.

Tambuwal’s growing profile prior to the 2019 presidential election prompted the widespread speculation that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had concluded plans to adopt him as its flag bearer for presidential election. This is even while he was still with the APC. He was and still a much sort after stock. Highly cerebral and generally accepted. He was touted as one of the most qualified to wear the crown of presidency in 2019 because of his youth and sundry achievements within a short period of time. And another four years down the line, Tambuwal has continued to wow naysayers with his sterling performances and nationalistic approach to national issues.

He may have cut the size of the Buhari of 2014 however, Tambuwal is much different in performance, competence, knowledge and milk of human sympathy. His resemblance to Mr President is only seen in the cult-like followership that has trailed him. But this is owing to his nationalistic zeal and capability to deliver with little or nothing. 

Tambuwal was born on January 10, 1966 in Tambuwal village, Sokoto to Alhaji Waziri Tambuwal.

He attended Town Primary School, Tambuwal, Sokoto State, where he obtained Primary School Leaving Certificate in 1979 before moving to Government Teachers’ College, Dogon-Daji, where he equally obtained the Teachers Grade II Certificate in 1984.

Connected and versed in national and world politics, Tambuwal had his tertiary education at the rated Usman Dan Fodio University where he studied Law, and graduated with a LLB (Hons) degree in 1991. He was called to the bar in 1992 after completing his one year compulsory legal studies at the Nigerian Law School.

From the influential Sokoto Caliphate, Tambuwal is seen as a potential as his origin stands him in good stead to gain the confidence of the Hausa/Fulani traditional rulers as well as gain the trust of the powerful political class.

Another strong point that makes him an attractive candidate, should he choose to run, is the immense connection that he has across the country. On account of his former position as Speaker, he has contacts in all parts of the country. In addition, his energy and youthfulness is a big plus. He is seen as an untainted politician, who can be firm when necessary and also has a squeaky clean image that will adhere him to floating voters. Tambuwal also got immense support among the inner circles of most opposition parties because his Nigerianism. 

Besides obtaining a Law degree, Tambuwal has also gained international exposure, having attended several courses abroad, among which are but not limited to Telecoms Regulatory Master Class–Bath UK in 2004; Lawmaking for the Communications Sectors – BMIT, Johannesburg, South Africa, 2004; Regulating a Competitive Industry-UK, Brussels, 2005; Tulane University – International Legislative Drafting, 2005; Stanford Graduate School of Business – Influence and Negotiation, 2008 and KSG Harvard – Infrastructure in Market Economy, 2010

Among his professional affiliations, Tambuwal has been a very active member of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), over the years. He started off as Public Relations Officer of the NBA, Sokoto State chapter between 1996 and 1997. He was a member of the Constitution Review Committee of the NBA (1997–1998). He was the Sokoto branch Secretary between 1997 and 1998 as well as the serving as the Assistant National Financial Secretary from 1998 to 2000.

In 2000, he became the 1st Assistant National Secretary of the Association and served till 2002. He is also a member of the Body of Benchers, Nigeria; the International Bar Association, and the American Bar Association among others.

Not done, Tambuwal started learning the legislative ropes from 1999 while working as Personal Assistant on Legislative Affairs to Senator Abdullahi Wali, the then Senate Leader.

In 2003, he decided to run for a legislative seat as representative of the Kebbe/Tambuwal Federal Constituency. He was elected into the House of Representatives on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

A politician who knows the appropriate time to take decisive steps, he defected to the Democratic People’s Party (DPP), alongside the former governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa just few months to the 2007 general elections. He had to return to ANPP when DPP denied return tickets to former ANPP legislators, there, he eventually succeeded in picking a ticket for the election. He finally left for the PDP when the ANPP governorship candidate for Sokoto State in the 2007 election, Alhaji Aliyu Wamakko dumped the party for the PDP.

Articulate and savvy, Tambuwal held several positions in the House. In 2005, he became the Minority Leader of the House until he defected to the PDP. Upon his re-election to the House in 2007, he was also elected to the office of the Deputy Chief Whip.

At various times, Tambuwal has been a member of several committees including the House Committees on Rules & Business, Communications, Judiciary, Inter-Parliamentary and Water Resources. He was also a member of the House Ad hoc Committee on Constitution Review.

He was chairman of the ad hoc committee that reviewed the report of the controversial power probe committee headed by Ndudi Elumelu; Chairman, House Sub-Committee on the Bill for an Act to Amend the Land Use Act, and acting chairman, House Committee on Power.

He was leader of the Nigerian delegation to African, Caribbean, Pacific & European Union Parliamentary Assembly (ACP-EU) and served as Vice-Chairman, Economic Committee ACP-EU, held in Prague, Czech Republic in April 2009.

Tambuwal’s experiences at the bar and in politics has propelled him to enviable of position as one of the most recognizable politicians in Nigeria.

Notwithstanding his intimidating credentials, some will see him as a serial defector having defected from the ruling PDP to the opposition APC as he did when he moved from the ANPP to the DPP and back to the ANPP before pitching tent with the PDP. He also believe that it is only that North that has the numbers to elect a president, and the south would lose should the contest be pitched between a northerner and a southerner. It will not be forgotten in a hurry however, that the major factor that could stop the gigantic strides of the governor is the clamour for zoning the presidency to the South. This alone can put paid to his ride to power.