Former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Friday received a hero’s welcome as he returned to Sokoto metropolis in a show of political strength ahead of the 2027 general elections. The triumphant homecoming, attended by thousands of supporters from Sokoto, Kebbi, and Zamfara states, drew a colourful procession of party loyalists, women’s groups, and youth organisations, who filled the streets with chants and banners calling for the removal of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Political observers say the massive turnout underscored Tambuwal’s enduring grassroots appeal and his strategic mobilisation for the coming political battle.
Addressing the crowd, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives and Director General of Atiku Abubakar’s 2023 presidential campaign accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deepening Nigeria’s economic woes, insecurity, and political instability. He urged Nigerians across ethnic and political divides to unite in ending APC’s rule, declaring that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its allies would work tirelessly to galvanise support nationwide. “We will not be intimidated, we will not be silenced, and we will not allow the suffering of Nigerians to continue unchecked,” Tambuwal vowed.
The senator also addressed recent reports linking him to an investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing his appearance before the agency as voluntary and without controversy. He dismissed allegations that he withdrew over ₦2 billion monthly from Sokoto State’s coffers as “blatant lies,” questioning how such sums could be possible given the state’s monthly federal allocation. “My visit to the EFCC was of my own volition. I was quizzed and released on self-recognition as a Commander of the Federal Republic. These allegations are nothing but political propaganda,” he said.
Tambuwal further accused the Sokoto State Government of orchestrating politically motivated witch-hunts through a panel of inquiry set up last year, which he claimed found no wrongdoing despite multiple sittings. He insisted that such tactics would not deter him from his political mission. “They can set up as many fake panels as they want; they will find nothing. The truth will always stand tall,” he asserted.
Friday’s rally, marked by solidarity songs and spirited speeches, has been interpreted by analysts as a calculated political statement to both his supporters and rivals. With the 2027 elections still over two years away, Tambuwal’s rally in Sokoto signals an early start to what promises to be a fierce contest for Nigeria’s highest political offices.
