Tambuwal Betrayed Me And Has Remained My Enemy - Gbajabiamila

Femi Gbajabiamila, majority leader of the federal house of representatives, has revealed
that he is not on speaking terms with Aminu Tambuwal, governor of Sokoto state and
former speaker of the lower chamber, who backed Yakubu Dogara to emerge speaker
of the green chambers.

Gbajabiamila, who said he felt betrayed, expressed disappointment at Tambuwal’s
comments questioning his competence to occupy the position.
Tambuwal had initially said he had a strong affinity for Gbajabiamila, but he endorsed
Dogara due to his “proven competence” as chairman of house services committee.
Speaking on Straight Talk with Kadaria Ahmed aired on Channels Television on
Wednesday night, Gbajabiamila revealed the betrayal he felt for Tambuwal’s comments.
“It’s a comment I would rather ignore, I feel disappointed in that statement. Looking at
that statement, there are many things wrong with that statement, which I don’t want to
join issues with. But let me just say this since this is ‘straight talk’.
“I feel disappointed that a speaker to whom much had been given would chop down
the issue of leadership and competence to the issue of procurement. That is the last
thing I would expect him to say,” adding that the same procurement got Patricia Etteh
and Dimeji Bankole into trouble.
“To seat here and say there is no sense of betrayal would be lying. Of course, there is
a sense of betrayal, but it’s not something I dwell on. Betrayal unfortunately happens to
be the order of the day in politics – particularly in Nigeria. So do I feel betrayed? Yes.
“Tambuwal was one of my closest friends when he ran for speaker; I think I single-
handedly pushed his speakership bid. But again, he must have reasons why he did what
he did. That must be respected; I just wished he had made that known.”
Asked if he had spoken with Tambuwal since the election, he said: “No I have not, I am
not crossing paths with him, he is in Sokoto, I’m in Abuja; you might want to direct that
question to him. Who do you think should be reaching out to who?
“When it was clear we were going to win, the other side walked out. Tambuwal, who is
my friend, did not call once to congratulate me, he never sent a message, and I haven’t
spoken to him since then.”
Speaking on allegations levelled against Babtunde Fashola on budgetary allocations and
contract, Gbajabiamila said “I am not holding brief for him, he may be guilty. But as of
today he has not been proven guilty.”