Lagos State chapter of All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it has taken note of the alarmist remarks credited to former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, wherein he declared that “Nigeria is in peril and needs urgent salvation.”
The party in a statement yesterday by its spokesman, Seye Oladejo, in Ogba, said: ‘’We consider this intervention a classic case of misplaced moral outrage by a principal actor who, when entrusted with responsibility, failed to deploy the very “salvation” he now theatrically advertises.
‘’At moments like this, statesmanship demands introspection and restitution-not grandstanding. Nigerians remember the years when Tambuwal occupied strategic positions in government and the dividends of leadership expected at those times. Sadly, rather than offering a candid reckoning with his record or apologising for missed opportunities, he has chosen to sermonise from a pedestal of selective amnesia.
‘’More instructively, his recent 60th birthday colloquial presented a rare lifeline to truly confess, seek forgiveness and embrace restitution from a nation that gave him so much but received next to nothing in return. It was an auspicious occasion that should have lent itself to sober reflection and an honest recap of stewardship. Instead, that opportunity was cleverly sidestepped. Tales of sainthood ring hollow when public service records and recent legal tussles over graft remain unresolved footnotes that were conspicuously omitted.’’
The statement added: ‘’Nigeria still bleeds from years of exploitation and poor leadership by individuals who once occupied positions of trust. To now speak of “peril” without acknowledging one’s role in deepening the nation’s wounds is not courage; it is convenience.
‘’It bears restating that Nigeria’s challenges did not materialise overnight, nor were they authored by the present administration alone. Many of those now brandishing megaphones of despair were active participants-if not architects-of the policy inertia, political brinkmanship and economic drift that constrained national progress for years. To proclaim peril without accepting culpability is to insult the intelligence of Nigerians.
‘’At 60, the transition into the realm of elder statesmanship beckons-a stage where only the truth suffices and where legacy begins to matter more than noise. It is not too early to start thinking about an enduring legacy built on honesty, accountability and service, rather than revisionism.
‘’Nigeria is not without leadership nor direction. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, difficult but necessary reforms are being undertaken to stabilise the economy, strengthen security and restore institutional credibility. These efforts require patience, sincerity and collective responsibility-not apocalyptic rhetoric designed to harvest fleeting relevance.
‘’We therefore urge Tambuwal and his cohorts to rise above political theatre. If salvation is truly the concern, it should begin with humility, restitution and support for reforms that move the nation forward. Anything short of this is noise-loud, convenient and ultimately hollow.’’