Why Tambuwal dumped PDP
His game plan finally came to bear last Tuesday when he red carded the party on whose back he clinched the speaker-ship of the House.
His reasoning was simple, since he was not the anointed candidate of his party and he knew the antics of PDP, he carefully waited for the dying days of the 7th Assembly to drop his masterstroke via his decampment to the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal,
There and then, Tambuwal knew where he should pledge his allegiance and this he covertly and overtly applied until last Tuesday.
He kept his friends and political acolytes on their toes as to where his allegiance lay all these while. He knew from day one that if he faltered the fire works of the PDP would be too explosive for him to handle.
He knew what happened to his predecessors that dared PDP. They went into political oblivion and remained politically irrelevant. And he accommodated genuine fears that he would face the same music if he remained in PDP. Re-election was almost uncertain and his political future remained bleak with PDP. He decided to join APC on whose platform he could run for the office of governor of Sokoto State or run for re-election back to the House.
Tambuwal, on his own, became his own pathfinder which endeared him to the hearts of his fellow lawmakers who at a time saw him as one rare gem that has come to right the wrongs of the past.
His leadership style was embedded in the doctrine of humility which was one rare ingredient that his predecessors could not exhibit as speakers.
He came on board with a populist 7 point -Agenda designed primarily to keep the House 100percent independent from all forms of incursions from the executive arm of government.
To a large extent this was achieved in the first two years of his administration as lawmakers spoke in one voice until 2013 when the New PDP emerged following the break up of the Governors Forum.
This singular development that almost tore PDP into shreds affected the comradeship among members who, hitherto, enjoyed peace and oneness since inception.
The House he had toiled to construct day and night now became divided.
Tambuwal, at this stage, employed many intrigues but the damage had been done. He had to prepare himself for the last card on his table which is his movement from PDP to APC.
His major challenges:
Tambuwal could not execute his pet project which was the 7-point Legislative Agenda to the letter. He recorded at least 70 percent success.
He had wanted to make Nigeria’s Green Chamber the first African e- Parliament compliant. Though work on this is at an advanced stage, this dream may not be accomplished before he leaves.
Secondly, his fervent desire to carry along his 359 colleagues despite paucity of funds was a major setback to him.
It is on record that Tambuwal knows every member by their first name and the constituencies they represent. A very rare gift.
Thirdly, his penchant for good legislation to make Nigeria a better place for all is never in doubt.
Implication of his defection
The House has less than two months to execute serious legislative business as the month of December is always work free. The lawmakers may seat for only six days.
January 2015, lawmakers would be in the battle field trying to see how they can return to the House.
February is the month of election so there will be no legislative business.
By March the results of the election must have had their toll and casualties of the election would have been known.
April, there will be little legislative action on the floor of the House.
By May the politics of who emerges the new speaker peaks.
By June 5, the 7th Assembly will be rested and the 8th Assembly emerges.
The effect of his defection may lead the House into a war zone. But one thing is certain, the PDP needs at least a dozen cranes and a 100 buldozers to buldoze Tambuwal out of office.
As it is now, the PDP has 195 active lawmakers while the APC has 159 leaving the remaining 6 that could pitch their tents where it suits them.
PDP does not have the 2/3 majority to unseat Tambuwal which is a mandatory constitutional provision. PDP needs 240 lawmakers to shove Tambuwal aside.
Tambuwal’s trump card
After the PDP primaries, the lawmakers who failed to win will solidly stand by Tambuwal making the House an entirely APC House.
This development could make the 2015 Budget suffer an unprecedented setback, causing more problems for the PDP led government.
Tambuwal has an unequaled track record of being the only lawmaker that has gone to the House for three terms and was appointed a principal officer.
In 2003-2007 he was deputy minority under ANPP. 2007-2011 he was deputy majority whip. In 2011 he emerged speaker.
This his experience will come to bear and may further rubbish whatever impeachment plan in the offing for him.
Tail or head Tambuwal is on both sides of the coin.
