North-West politicians have become Tinubu’s errand boys – ADC

‎The National Zonal Organising Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, North-West, Hon. Aliyu M. Tukur Gantsa, has criticised political leaders in the region, accusing many of abandoning their political principles and ideologies for personal interests and loyalty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‎Gantsa made the remarks in an exclusive interview with journalists in Sokoto ahead of the ADC presidential campaign flag-off for the 2027 general elections.

‎He expressed disappointment that several influential politicians in the North-West had allegedly turned themselves into political errand boys of President Tinubu, arguing that their actions were driven by personal benefits and fear of the Federal Government.

‎According to him, the absence of ideological commitment among political leaders has weakened the region’s political influence and prevented it from speaking with one voice on pressing challenges such as insecurity, poverty and economic hardship.

‎He lamented that politics in the region had shifted from addressing public concerns to personal survival, political defections and the pursuit of individual interests.

‎Gantsa named former Jigawa governors Ali Sa’ad, Saminu Turaki, Sule Lamido and Badaru Abubakar among those he described as Tinubu’s political loyalists.‎

‎He also mentioned former Kano governors Ibrahim Shekarau, Kabiru Gaya, Rabiu Kwankwaso and Abdullahi Ganduje, alleging that they had equally aligned themselves with the President.

‎Explaining why he included former Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido on the list, Gantsa claimed that Lamido was associated with the APC-Wike political camp, a development he said was widely known.

‎He further accused former Katsina governors Aminu Masari and Ibrahim Shema of aligning with Tinubu, while describing the late former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua as an exception.

‎In Kaduna and Sokoto, Gantsa identified former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai and former Sokoto Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as politicians who, in his view, had maintained their political convictions.

‎He also listed former Sokoto governors Attahiru Bafarawa and Aliyu Wamakko, as well as former Kebbi governors Usman Dakingari and Adamu Aliero and the incumbent governor, Nasir Idris, among politicians he accused of being aligned with Tinubu.

‎He questioned whether such political alignments reflected genuine democracy and patriotism or amounted to political sycophancy.

‎Gantsa, however, singled out former Sokoto Governor and current Senator representing Sokoto South, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as one of the few politicians in the region who had demonstrated consistency, courage and commitment to political principles.

‎He described Tambuwal as a leader who could neither be influenced by money nor intimidated by the power of the Federal Government.

‎According to him, Tambuwal’s political career as Speaker of the House of Representatives, governor and now senator reflects a commitment to public service rather than personal political survival.

‎He cited Tambuwal’s decision to withdraw from the 2022 Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, presidential primary in favour of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as evidence of his political maturity and commitment to national interest.

‎Gantsa said the decision, which came shortly before the conclusion of the primary, helped Atiku secure the PDP presidential ticket against his major rival, Nyesom Wike.

‎He argued that Tambuwal’s action demonstrated his willingness to place national considerations above personal ambition.

‎The ADC chieftain also lamented what he described as the declining political relevance of the North-West in national affairs, blaming the region’s political elite for failing to defend its interests and address the challenges confronting its people.

‎He maintained that the problems facing the region and Northern Nigeria did not emerge overnight, accusing successive political leaders of compromising their values and failing to take decisive action when necessary.

‎Among the major challenges he identified were insecurity and banditry, youth unemployment, the decline of industries in Kano and Kaduna, widespread poverty and the increasing number of out-of-school children.

‎Gantsa said addressing these problems would require courageous and ideologically committed leaders who would prioritise the welfare of the people over personal political interests.