Former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal has said he would back former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, if a choice arose regarding Nigeria’s leadership.
Speaking on Politics Today on Friday, Tambuwal stressed that his political decisions are guided by principles of leadership rather than personal relationships. “When it comes to leadership of this country and the people, I would rather support Atiku than Nyesom Wike,” he said.
Tambuwal acknowledged his past cordial ties with Wike, noting that political disagreements, including his support for Atiku in the 2023 PDP presidential race, have never been personal. “It is a collaboration; it is not something difficult. Once it is about being altruistic, nothing is personal. You have never seen me go against President Bola Tinubu or Nyesom Wike personally,” he said.
He also recalled disagreements with former President Goodluck Jonathan, which were based on principles and policy direction, not personal grievances. “We disagreed on the way and direction things were going. I had no personal problem with Jonathan, but we disagreed, and I left PDP for APC,” Tambuwal explained.
Emphasizing the separation of friendship and leadership, Tambuwal added: “It is not about my friendship with you. If Atiku comes and Wike requests my phone, which is personal, I will give it to him as a personal friend.”
