‘I told them I’m former speaker’ – Tambuwal opens up on encounter with EFCC over alleged fraud

Senator Aminu Tambuwal, has described his recent encounter with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as politically motivated, insisting he will not be cowed by any agency or political force.

Addressing supporters in Sokoto after what he called a “brief visit” to the anti-graft commission, Tambuwal said he honoured an invitation to the EFCC office on August 6 without any compulsion.

The former Sokoto governor explained that he was initially allowed to go home but told to return on August 10 and 11 for more questioning.

According to him, EFCC operatives later demanded two sureties who federal directors with letters of introduction before granting his release.

“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.

Despite pleas from his legal team, which included three Senior Advocates of Nigeria, the EFCC refused to relax the bail terms, keeping him overnight until the conditions were met.

Tambuwal questioned the timing of his interrogation, linking it to political machinations aimed at discrediting him.

“Why now?” he asked, pointing to what he described as a “kangaroo commission of inquiry” earlier set up by the Sokoto State government to probe his administration.

He accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of shielding its loyalists from scrutiny. “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,” Tambuwal declared.

Referencing a common political saying, he added: “Once you join the APC, whatever your sins, they are forgiven.”

Vowing to remain firm with what he called the coalition for national rescue, Tambuwal said: “I cannot be intimidated. I cannot be blackmailed. No one can tarnish my record.”