Friends of Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, led by Olumuyiwa Akinboro, have purchased Expression of Interest and Nomination forms for the governor to contest the 2023 presidential elections on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).  

According to Mr Akinboro, Mr Tambuwal’s humility and intelligence of over three decades qualifies him to lead the country. 

“Tambuwal is someone we have all known for 30 years and nothing has changed about him. He’s humble, focused and intelligent. People ask if he has the money to pursue his ambition. That is why we are here to buy this form for him. He’s not aware but we as professionals and apolitical, we want him to lead,” Mr Akinboro said. 

As the PDP battles with whether to continue to follow the zoning arrangement or not, Mr Akinboro reiterates Mr Tambuwal’s earlier argument rejecting zoning. 

“I’m giving you this analysis so that together, as leaders of our party, we can work towards winning the election, not zoning, not winning tickets. Yes, we can share tickets and everybody can take his piece and go to his zone. But you must plan to win the election. That’s the reality of it. It’s not anybody’s making. I didn’t make myself come from Sokoto. No, it’s God.

“So, we must accept these realities as a party and work with these realities to win the election. After that, we can now say okay, let’s share power. Win the election first. Don’t win zoning! Win the election and then we’ll come and share power,” Mr Tambuwal had said on Tuesday. 

Reiterating Mr Tambuwal’s point, Mr Akinboro says that their favourite candidate has home in all parts of the nation regardless of the zoning arrangement and that if given the opportunity, could be the best chance for the PDP’s shot at presidency in the 2023 elections. 

“As regards zoning, we believe Tambuwal is a  native of Nigeria and this is someone who is at home in all parts of the nation. Just look at us, we have Yoruba, Igbo, Ibibio, and we are saying, PDP, put your best foot forward. You can see there are no money bags here, but the little we have, we will use it for him. 

“PDP, you have a good chance to win this election. This election will be decided by simple Nigerians and we are part of that simple Nigerians,” Mr Akinboro added.