The media office of former Sokoto State Governor and Senator Aminu Tambuwal has dismissed reports suggesting that the African Democratic Congress chieftain is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress. It described the claims as false and baseless.
The office said Tambuwal remained committed to the ADC and was focused on strengthening the party and mobilising support ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Monday, the Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to the senator, Prince Daniel, said there was no plan for Tambuwal to return to the APC, urging the public to disregard the speculation circulating on social media.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Tambuwal has no plans to join the APC. Suggestions to the contrary are false, baseless and should be disregarded,” the statement said.
The denial followed the circulation of photographs and video clips on social media, which reportedly fuelled speculation about a possible political realignment involving the former governor.
However, Tambuwal’s media office argued that his interactions with politicians across party lines should not be interpreted as evidence of an impending defection.
“Political civility is no proof of political realignment. Exchanging greetings or interacting with members of another party does not amount to negotiating a change of allegiance,” Daniel said.
The statement described Tambuwal as a statesman with longstanding relationships across political divides, adding that such relationships were built over years of public service and mutual respect.
It maintained that his political allegiance remained with the ADC, where he was committed to building cooperation and mobilising Nigerians ahead of the next general elections.
“Senator Tambuwal remains firmly committed to the ADC. His focus is on strengthening the party, building broad cooperation and mobilising Nigerians ahead of the 2027 general elections,” the statement added.
The media office also urged political supporters, media organisations and social media commentators to verify information before publishing reports about the senator’s political activities.
“Speculation must never be presented as fact,” it warned.
The office further argued that public discourse should focus on the country’s economic difficulties, security challenges and governance concerns rather than unsubstantiated claims about politicians’ party affiliations.
Tambuwal, who governed Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023, was elected senator representing Sokoto South Senatorial District in 2023, the year he completed his two terms as governor.
A former Speaker of the House of Representatives, he has remained a prominent figure in Nigeria’s opposition politics and previously contested the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential ticket.
His move to the ADC places him among opposition figures positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The latest denial comes amid growing political realignments and discussions over possible alliances among opposition parties seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC in 2027.
Tambuwal’s media office, however, insisted that the senator’s cross-party relationships should not be misconstrued as a plan to return to the ruling party.
It urged Nigerians to seek clarification from the AWT Media Office before circulating reports concerning the senator’s political decisions.