Aminu Tambuwal: political star at APC convention

The security men attached to Speaker of the House of Representatives Aminu Waziri Tambuwal have been withdrawn by the Federal Government, Nigerian newspaper Daily Trust has reported.

Tambuwal formally announced his switch from the ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) to the main opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday. He said he was going to pursue a governorship ambition in his home state of Sokoto and also adjourned sitting till 3 December.

“Early this morning, few minutes after midnight to be precise, top level security report informed the Speaker that orders have been given for the withdrawal of his security details,” Daily Trust reported.

As the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the number four citizen of the country, he is entitled to a round the clock security made up of men from the Police, Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Security (DSS).

After he defected, the PDP called on Tambuwal to resign his position as Speaker having left the party that brought him to the House of Representatives in 2011.

An outraged presidency summoned an emergency meeting yesterday to discuss how to handle the latest renegade in the party, who has gone to team up with the opposition and who at the APC convention yesterday said the APC would sweep out the PDP in next year’s election.

The meeting was attended by the National Chairman of the PDP, Adamu Mu’azu, the Deputy Speaker of the House, Emeka Ihedioha; the Deputy Leader of the House, Mr. Leo Ogor; and a member from Delta State, Ndudi Elumelu.

Some PDP governors such as Gabriel Suswam (Benue); Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom); Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa): Ibrahim Dankwabo (Gombe) and Sullivan Chime (Enugu) were also part of the meeting, according to PUNCH.

Top government officials who attended the parley included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; the National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki; and the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Muhammed Adoke (SAN).

“The issue of the Speaker and his exit was one of the fundamental issues discussed at the meeting,” he said.