How We Executed the ‘Coup’ That Made Aminu Tambuwal House Speaker in 2011 — David Mark

Former Senate President and current National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark, has disclosed the inner workings of what he described as the “coup” that propelled Aminu Waziri Tambuwal to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives in 2011, defying the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP) leadership plans at the time.

Speaking during celebrations marking Tambuwal’s 60th birthday in Abuja on Saturday, the retired military general provided a first-hand account of the events leading to Tambuwal’s historic election as Speaker of the 7th National Assembly. The revelation offers rare insight into the political maneuvers, cross-party dynamics, and strategic decision-making that shaped Nigeria’s legislative leadership in the aftermath of the 2011 general elections.

Following the 2011 polls, the PDP retained power at the presidential level and held majority representation in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Despite this numerical advantage, the party faced an assertive opposition, primarily from the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which had emerged as a formidable political force under leaders like Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a surprising twist, ACN leveraged its influence to back Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for the Speakership, challenging the PDP’s internal arrangements. The party leadership had initially endorsed Mulikat Akande-Adeola, a representative from Oyo State’s Ogbomoso North/South/Orire federal constituency, as their candidate for Speaker.

However, according to Mark, the opposition’s strategy and Tambuwal’s growing appeal disrupted these plans. In the election that followed, Tambuwal garnered 252 votes in an open-secret ballot, while Akande-Adeola secured only 90 votes. The outcome highlighted not just a rebellion against PDP’s zoning arrangement but also Tambuwal’s capacity to build cross-party alliances and consolidate widespread support across the legislature.

Mark narrated that during the run-up to the House leadership election, both Tambuwal and Emeka Ihedioha frequently consulted him, seeking his endorsement for their ambitions as Speaker and Deputy Speaker, respectively.

“I was already the Senate President at the time,” Mark said. “They kept coming to me about their intentions, seeking my blessings and advice.”

Despite his awareness of the opposition’s maneuvering, Mark said he maintained a neutral front until the night before the election when Tambuwal and Ihedioha provided a final briefing on how the ‘coup’ would be executed.

Mark revealed that President Goodluck Jonathan, who was in office at the time, became aware of the unfolding developments. During a meeting on the eve of the election, Jonathan reportedly asked, “Where is Aminu Tambuwal?” signaling his concern over the opposition’s influence and potential to upend PDP’s plans.

Present at the meeting was Haliru Mohammed Bello, then Acting National Chairman of PDP, who assumed that Mark, given his seniority and knowledge, could account for Tambuwal’s whereabouts. According to Mark, Bello turned to him, expecting a response, but Mark deliberately declined to disclose Tambuwal and Ihedioha’s location.

“My non-disclosure,” Mark recounted, “was the final factor that sealed Mulikat Akande-Adeola’s fate and paved the way for Tambuwal’s emergence as Speaker.”

The former Senate President’s account underscores the nuanced interplay of loyalty, strategy, and discretion in Nigeria’s political theatre. Mark’s decision not to divulge Tambuwal’s location effectively neutralized the PDP leadership’s ability to intervene, allowing the opposition-backed candidate to secure a decisive victory.

Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, born on January 10, 1966, in Sokoto State, has had a distinguished career in law and politics. Educated at Usman Dan Fodio University, he was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1992. Over the years, he has amassed advanced certifications in legislative drafting and negotiation from esteemed institutions such as Tulane University and Harvard University.

Tambuwal began his professional journey as a legislative aide and active member of the Nigerian Bar Association before entering elective politics. He represented the Tambuwal/Kebbe Federal Constituency from 2003 to 2015, served as the 10th Speaker of the House of Representatives between 2011 and 2015, and went on to become the Governor of Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023. In 2023, he returned to the Senate as the representative for Sokoto South District.

Tambuwal’s tenure as Speaker was marked by assertive legislative leadership, including fostering cross-party cooperation and strengthening parliamentary oversight. His rise to prominence, often described as meteoric, has been the subject of both admiration and debate within Nigerian political circles.

David Mark’s disclosure sheds light on a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s political history—a moment where strategic discretion, political foresight, and inter-party negotiations intersected to shape the leadership of the House of Representatives. It also reflects the delicate balancing act senior politicians often perform between party loyalty and broader legislative interests.

The story of Tambuwal’s ascendancy continues to resonate in contemporary politics, offering lessons on coalition-building, political strategy, and the complexities of internal party democracy in Nigeria. As he celebrates his 60th birthday, Tambuwal’s journey from legislative aide to Speaker, Governor, and now Senator exemplifies the blend of ambition, skill, and strategic alliance that defines successful political careers in the country.

Mark’s revelation, coming almost fifteen years after the events, underscores the enduring impact of behind-the-scenes decisions in shaping Nigeria’s legislative and political trajectory, and reminds observers that in politics, the decisive moment often hinges not only on numbers and popularity but also on timing, discretion, and tactical judgment.