Obasanjo Reveals Why He, Jonathan Opposed Tambuwal’s Emergence As Speaker In 2011

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has revealed the political reasons behind his and then-President Goodluck Jonathan’s opposition to Aminu Waziri Tambuwal’s rise as Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011.

Obasanjo said their position at the time was guided by party interest and the desire to sustain gender inclusion in the leadership of the National Assembly.

He spoke on Saturday at a leadership colloquium and 60th birthday celebration organised in honour of Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, ex-governor of Sokoto State and current senator.

Reflecting on the events that preceded the 2011 Speakership election, Obasanjo said the Peoples Democratic Party had backed Mulikat Akande-Adeola, a lawmaker from the South-West.

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

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

Despite opposition from the executive arm, 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 whose rise demonstrated the autonomy of the legislature.

“One thing I saw in you was humility. Greatness that does not include humility is greatness that is hollow. Your greatness is not hollow,” Obasanjo said.

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

Jonathan, who addressed the gathering virtually, corroborated Obasanjo’s account and acknowledged disagreements with the House during Tambuwal’s tenure.

Jonathan said, “When he was Speaker, I was the President, and we had some disagreements.

“But one thing I must give to Tambuwal is that members of the House believed so much in him. He held the House together, and I appreciated that quality of leadership, even when we disagreed.”

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.

He admitted to ignoring pressure from the PDP leadership on the eve of the election.

“For once, Mr President, I disobeyed you,” he said, 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, while Akande-Adeola dismissed suggestions 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.

In his remarks, Tambuwal said Nigeria was at a critical juncture and urgently needed rescue from years of poor governance.

According to him, national renewal must rise above personal ambition, ethnicity and party politics, warning against the imposition of unworthy successors.

He said such practices continued to weaken institutions and undermine democracy, stressing that meaningful recovery would only be possible if Nigerians acknowledged that “something is fundamentally wrong” and committed to genuine reform.