Former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, has dismissed claims of a crisis within the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting that the recent exits of key opposition figures from the party were based on personal political decisions and not internal divisions.
Tambuwal spoke amid growing political discussions following the reported departure of former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, from the ADC-led coalition to the National Democratic Congress (NDC).
The exits of the two influential politicians, alongside several federal lawmakers, had sparked speculation that cracks were beginning to appear within the opposition coalition ahead of the next general elections.
However, Tambuwal rejected the claims during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday.
According to him, the departure of Obi and Kwankwaso should not be interpreted as evidence of internal crisis or unfair treatment within the party.
“I do not believe that it was out of any crack. I believe that they wanted to go to another platform for them to possibly test their popularity with the Nigerian people at the general elections,” Tambuwal said.
The former governor maintained that the ADC remained united and committed to providing a fair platform for all members and political interests within the coalition.
Political tension within opposition parties has increased in recent months as politicians and groups continue consultations ahead of future elections.
Several opposition leaders have been discussing possible alliances aimed at challenging the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), especially after the 2023 general elections which saw President Bola Ahmed Tinubu emerge victorious.
Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi of the Labour Party and Rabiu Kwankwaso of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) were among the major opposition candidates in the last presidential election.
Since then, talks about a possible coalition among opposition figures have remained part of national political discussions.
However, disagreements over leadership, party structure and presidential ambition have continued to raise questions about whether a united opposition front can truly emerge before the next election cycle.
Reacting to claims that the ADC had already been structured in favour of Atiku Abubakar, Tambuwal said neither Peter Obi nor Kwankwaso publicly accused the party of bias before leaving.
“I didn’t hear Peter Obi saying so, I didn’t hear Distinguished Rabiu Kwankwaso saying so,” he stated.
He added that allegations of bias were mainly assumptions by commentators and political observers.
“And if it is an assumption of any individual, observers or public commentators, I believe that with Distinguished Senator David Mark on the saddle as chairman of ADC, a level playing field would have been provided,” Tambuwal added.
The former Sokoto governor also defended the credibility of former Senate President David Mark, who currently serves as chairman of the ADC.
According to Tambuwal, David Mark is a respected political figure whose leadership would ensure fairness and transparency within the party.
He argued that those who left the coalition could not reasonably question the integrity or neutrality of the former Senate President.
Tambuwal further insisted that all major stakeholders within the party had been carried along in decision-making processes.
He rejected suggestions that certain political groups or individuals had been sidelined in the running of the party.
According to him, Peter Obi and his supporters were even given significant opportunities to contribute to the structure and leadership of the ADC.
“And stakeholder involvement is very clear in ADC. Former Governor of Anambra State, Peter Obi, was given an opportunity to bring the National Organising Secretary of the party,” he said.
Tambuwal described the office of the National Organising Secretary as one of the most important positions within any political party because of its role in coordinating political activities and party administration.
“Tell me who is it that is at the party that is clearly an Atiku person who is manning either the office of the National Chairman, or the National Secretary, or the Organising Secretary or the legal adviser of the party that is there,” he said.
“But Peter Obi was given National Organising Secretary, the heartbeat, the engine room of the party. And he brought the current National Organising Secretary of the party,” Tambuwal added.
The comments come at a time when Nigeria’s political landscape is witnessing renewed alignments and consultations among politicians preparing for future elections.
Opposition parties have faced increasing pressure to form stronger alliances capable of challenging the APC, which currently controls the presidency and holds influence in many states.
However, analysts say personal ambitions, ideological differences and leadership struggles remain major obstacles to opposition unity.
The departure of Obi and Kwankwaso from the ADC coalition has therefore generated fresh debate about the stability and future of opposition politics in Nigeria.
Peter Obi remains one of the most influential opposition figures in the country, especially among young voters and urban supporters who backed his 2023 presidential campaign.
Kwankwaso also commands strong political influence in Kano State and parts of Northern Nigeria through his Kwankwasiyya political movement.
Their decisions to move to another platform are expected to reshape political calculations ahead of future elections.
Despite the concerns, Tambuwal insisted that the ADC remains open, inclusive and committed to internal democracy.
He said the party would continue to welcome all Nigerians interested in building a stronger opposition platform.
For now, attention remains focused on how the latest political realignments will affect opposition strategies ahead of the next election season.
The developments also underline the intense competition already building within Nigeria’s opposition space, even though the next general elections are still years away.