Tambuwal Withdraws From Presidential Race Over Pressure?

The Speaker of the House of Representatives,
Aminu Tambuwal, reportedly decided to give
up his ambition to contest the 2015
presidential election on the platform of the
All Progressives Congress (APC), his political
associates said Tuesday.
According to the Premuim Times, lawmakers close
to the speaker said that Mr. Tambuwal was standing
down despite pressure on him to go ahead with the
presidential race.
"Despite the pressure from us and from others on
him to contest the presidential election, the
speaker, I believe, is trying to withdraw," a senior
lawmaker said.
The source also revealed that the speaker will now
contest as the governor of his home Sokoto State.
However, Mr. Tambuwal's office did not confirm or
deny if he was standing down.
His spokesperson, Imam Imam, said if any decision
was taken, it would be duly made public.
"Mr. Tambuwal will no longer challenge a former
head of state, Muhammadu Buhari, and former Vice
President Atiku Abubakar, who are also vying for
APC's presidential ticket," sources said.
The speaker joined the presidential race last week
after defecting from the ruling Peoples Democratic
Party (PDP) to opposition APC in October. His
defection triggered a fierce controversy over
whether he should remain speaker since the APC is
in minority in the House of Representatives.
In response, President Goodluck Jonathan ordered
the withdrawal of Mr. Tambuwal's police protection.
On Monday, Mr. Tambuwal withdrew a lawsuit
challenging the government's decision to strip him
of state protection.
The speaker's office had earlier said Mr. Tambuwal
was drafted into the presidential race by lawmakers
who purchased the party's nomination forms on his
behalf.

Posted By David Aniemeka