Inside 2011 Politics: Obasanjo Reveals Reason Behind Opposing Tambuwal As Speaker

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has explained the political reasoning behind the opposition by himself and then-President Goodluck Jonathan to Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s emergence as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Obasanjo said their stance at the time was guided by party interests and the desire to promote gender inclusion in the National Assembly’s leadership.

He made the remarks on Saturday during a leadership colloquium and 60th birthday celebration held in honour of Tambuwal, the former Speaker, ex-governor of Sokoto State, and current senator.

Reflecting on the events leading up to the 2011 Speakership election, Obasanjo noted that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had endorsed Mulikat Akande-Adeola, a lawmaker from the South-West.

“Our thinking was that if, for the first time, a woman became Speaker, she should be encouraged to remain there,” Obasanjo said.

However, Tambuwal, then a second-term lawmaker and former Deputy Chief Whip from the North-West, defeated Akande-Adeola in a hotly contested election, receiving 252 votes against her 90 from a total of 340 votes cast.

Despite opposition from the executive, lawmakers insisted on Tambuwal’s emergence, a development Obasanjo said underscored the legislature’s independence.

“But your members thought otherwise, and you made your decision. And we supported your decision. Initially, even you were not sure of where we would stand, but we stood with you,” he added.

The former president described Tambuwal as a humble leader, saying his rise illustrated the autonomy of the legislature.

“One thing I saw in you was humility. Greatness without humility is hollow. Your greatness is not hollow,” Obasanjo said.

Tambuwal’s victory was further strengthened by support from the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria, then led by Bola Tinubu, marking one of the rare occasions in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic when the legislature openly defied the executive branch.

Jonathan Confirms Disagreements
Then-President Goodluck Jonathan, who addressed the gathering virtually, confirmed Obasanjo’s account and acknowledged disagreements with the House during Tambuwal’s tenure.

“When he was Speaker, I was President, and we had some disagreements. But one thing I must give to Tambuwal is that members of the House believed in him. He held the House together, and I appreciated that leadership even when we disagreed,” Jonathan said.

Former Senate President David Mark recounted how Tambuwal and his deputy approached him before the election.

“They came to me and said, ‘Sir, whether you like it or not, you are adopting us as your sons,’” Mark said, admitting he ignored pressure from the PDP leadership on the eve of the election.

“For once, Mr President, I disobeyed you,” he added, drawing applause from the audience.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Tambuwal as a leader in the making, while Peter Obi praised him as a bridge-builder committed to justice, consensus, and national unity. Former Edo State governor Adams Oshiomhole commended Tambuwal’s ability to manage a politically fragmented House, and Akande-Adeola dismissed any suggestion of lingering animosity.

“Only what God wills comes to pass. Tambuwal has been Speaker and a leader. There is no animosity among us,” she said.

Tambuwal’s Warning on Nigeria’s Future
In his remarks, Tambuwal said Nigeria is at a critical juncture and urgently needs rescue from years of poor governance. He emphasized that national renewal must rise above personal ambition, ethnicity, and party politics, cautioning against the imposition of unworthy successors.

He warned that such practices continue to weaken institutions and undermine democracy, stressing that meaningful recovery would only be possible if Nigerians recognize that “something is fundamentally wrong” and commit to genuine reform.