Irked by an alleged plan by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, to contest the 2015 Presidency, the Presidency and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) are working on different options to cut him to size, reports Assistant Editor, Remi Adelowo
he stage appears set for what promises to be an epic battle between the Presidency, the national leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on one hand and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, on the other.
The Speaker had, last week, stirred the hornets net when he gave what many considered as his clearest hint yet that he may be bidding the PDP goodbye soon.
Three years after he rallied forces within the PDP and other opposition parties to emerge as Speaker in contravention of the PDP’s zoning formula, which zoned the Speakership to the South-West region, the relationship between Tambuwal and the Presidency has been frosty at best.
Months before he spoke last week on his future political ambition, the rumour mill has been agog on Tambuwal’s planned defection to the major opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and alleged intention to contest the 2015 Presidency on the platform of the party.
Albeit for tactical reasons, the Sokoto State-born lawmaker refrained from speaking on this subject, leaving his spokesman and political associates to talk on his behalf. And even at that, statements volunteered by these people have been ambiguous thereby leaving room for more speculations on the Speaker’s post-2015 game plan.
But with his last week’s comments where he reportedly said that Nigeria deserves a better leadership in 2015, the Presidency and the PDP, sources revealed, have allegedly reached the conclusion that Tambuwal must be checkmated ‘before it is too late.’
The many plots against Tambuwal
The checkmating strategy, when it comes into effect, would not be the first in the many plots against Tambuwal in the last three years.
Banking on his broad-based support in the House, which defies political affiliation of his colleagues, Tambuwal has successfully survived several plots by forces allegedly backed by the Presidency to remove him from office.
About three years ago in the aftermath of Hon. Farouk Lawan bribery scandal which rocked the House of Representatives to its foundation, some House members, allegedly backed by external forces, made attempts to link the Speaker to the scandal. But this move was thwarted following a vote of confidence passed on Tambuwal by his colleagues.
Another instance was cited of an alleged plot allegedly spearheaded by a lawmaker from the South-South to impeach Tambuwal.
The lawmaker, who is said to be the Chairman of a ‘Grade A’ committee, had attempted to pitch House members against the Speaker on the excuse that Tambuwal had been less than transparent in the purchase of Toyota Camry cars purchased for all the committees in the House in the discharge of oversight functions.
To douse tension and put the record straight, the Speaker allegedly convened an executive session during which he reportedly laid bare all the facts of the case.
But rather than mete out sanctions against the lawmaker as canvassed by majority of House members, the lawmaker was let off the hook after he tendered an apology to the Speaker.
“Aside from the apology offered by the member, who is still occupying his position till date, no punitive measure was taken against him by the Speaker,” said a lawmaker, who was present while the whole drama played out.
When all moves against the Speaker in the House failed, his antagonists shifted their plot against him to his home state, with alleged attempts to instigate the local chapter of the PDP to expel Tambuwal from the party.
The alleged plan, it was gathered, was for the PDP local chapter to announce Tambuwal’s expulsion, with the national leadership coming into the picture later by ‘magnanimously’ converting the expulsion to suspension “pending further investigation.”
Sources said the local executive members of the party, however, saw through the plot and declared that it was beyond them to expel him.
The Nation learnt that days before the execution of the plot, some chieftains of the party in the state had allegedly gone round urging PDP members in Tambuwal’s local government to append their signatures and names to a “vote of no confidence” motion meant to be passed on the Speaker after his planned expulsion.
But like a cat with the proverbial nine lives, the Speaker again survived the plot through the intervention of Governor Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko.
The governor, according to sources, reportedly prevailed upon the party chieftains in Tambuwal’s local government not to allow themselves be used to disturb the peace of the state.
New offensive in the offing
Not deterred on the many failed plots against Tambuwal in the past, sources revealed that Presidency strategists are exploring fresh options to get rid of the Speaker within the next two months.
Buoyed by the recent defections of some APC, Labour Party (LP) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) members in the House of Representatives to the PDP (with more allegedly in the offing), hawks in the Presidency are said to be convinced that with the numerical advantage enjoyed by the PDP in the House, an impeachment move should be launched against Tambuwal as soon as possible.
The calculations, it is said, is to put the Speaker on the defensive, giving little or no ample time to mobilise on his alleged presidential project.
A source said, “The PDP leadership is eager to get rid of Tambuwal and seems confident of actualising the plan. What may likely happen is that PDP members in the House will be issued a stern directive to move against Tambuwal once the coast is clear.”
Tambuwal’s counter-strategy
Aware that the Presidency and the PDP leadership can’t wait for too long to see his back, sources disclosed that the Speaker’s camp has also devised measures to save his job.
The Speaker’s greatest strength is his close relationship with his colleagues, which transcends official or party matters.
For most of the House members, particularly those committee chairmen, The Nation gathered that they have vowed to remain loyal to the Speaker, who despite pressure from some unnamed forces, have consistently declined to remove them.
This tactical decision, more than anything else, has ensured the stability of the 7th National Assembly and consolidated the support base of the Speaker.
How Tambuwal will continue to navigate the landmines laid on his path in the months ahead remains to be seen.
