Former Sokoto State governor and serving Senator, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on Thursday, opened up on his recent encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, insisting that no agency or political force can intimidate him.
Tambuwal, who spoke in Sokoto after his return from the EFCC custody, disclosed that he was invited by the anti-graft agency and went voluntarily to their office on August 6.
He disclosed that after initial rounds of questioning, he was allowed to return home but was asked to report back on August 10 and 11 for further interrogation.
He said after hours of questioning during the follow-up visit, he requested to return home again.
But the EFCC officials insisted that he must produce two sureties—specifically directors in the Federal Civil Service with letters of introduction from their employers—before he could be released.
“I told them to go back and tell the chairman of the EFCC that I am a former Speaker of the House of Representatives with an unblemished record, a two-term Governor of Sokoto State, a serving Senator, and a Commander of the Order of the Niger. I should be allowed to go on self-recognition,” Tambuwal said.
He stated that despite appeals from his legal team, which included three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the EFCC operatives refused to vary the bail conditions.
He said he was therefore detained overnight before being released the following morning after meeting the bail terms.
Tambuwal questioned the timing of the EFCC’s actions, linking them to a broader political plot.
“Why now?” he queried, hinting that the current Sokoto State administration had earlier set up what he described as a “kangaroo commission of inquiry” to probe his tenure, which he believed was politically motivated.
He argued that these events were part of efforts to discredit him and silence dissenting voices critical of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
“In Nigeria today, there are two lines: those with Bola Tinubu and his government, and those with the people of Nigeria. We chose to stand with the people,” he said.
Tambuwal further criticised the ruling All Progressives Congress, citing a common political cliché: “Once you join the APC, whatever your sins, they are forgiven.”
The former Sokoto governor rejected any notion of political realignment, vowing to remain steadfast with the coalition for national rescue.
“I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be blackmailed. No one can tarnish my record,” Tambuwal said.
