FLASH POINT

By Shehu Yahaya

 Former Governor of Sokoto State Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, has declared that governors no longer have absolute control over voters, insisting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu can be defeated if elections are conducted freely and fairly.

Tambuwal made the assertion on Saturday while speaking with journalists in Kaduna at the venue of the North West Development Commission (NWDC) Summit, where political leaders, policymakers and stakeholders converged to discuss strategies for the development of the region.

According to Tambuwal, recent electoral outcomes across the country have clearly shown that political power does not automatically translate into electoral victory, even for sitting governors and influential party leaders.

“Governors don’t control voters,” Tambuwal said. “Bola Tinubu was a presidential candidate, and the governor of his state was his right-hand man, yet they still lost Lagos. Simon Lalong was Tinubu’s campaign director and governor of Plateau State, but he couldn’t deliver Plateau. APC National Chairman Abdullahi Adamu and the governor of Nasarawa couldn’t win Nasarawa either.”

He further cited the outcome of the last general elections, noting that despite the influence of incumbency, many sitting governors failed in their personal political ambitions.

“Ten governors contested for the Senate, but only three of us won. That alone tells you that voters now decide independently,” he stated.

Tambuwal argued that the growing political awareness among Nigerians has weakened the traditional hold of political elites over the electorate, adding that citizens are increasingly voting based on personal conviction rather than party directives.

He stressed that the outcome of future elections would largely depend on the credibility of the process, particularly the role of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies.

“Tinubu will be defeated as long as the election is free and fair,” Tambuwal said, emphasizing that transparency, fairness and respect for the will of the people remain the most critical factors in determining electoral outcomes.

Speaking on the North West Development Commission Summit, Tambuwal described the gathering as timely, noting that the North West region faces serious challenges ranging from insecurity and poverty to poor infrastructure and youth unemployment.

He called on political leaders, development partners and stakeholders to set aside partisan interests and focus on policies and programmes that would bring lasting development to the region.

The NWDC Summit brought together governors from the North West, federal lawmakers, traditional rulers, development experts and civil society organizations to deliberate on sustainable solutions for the socio-economic growth of Northern Nigeria.