Fayose celebrates Tambuwal's candidate's loss in Sokoto election

Former Governor of Ekiti state, Ayodele Fayose, has expressed his joy over the loss of Governor Aminu Tambuwal's candidate in the Sokoto election. In a short video he shared, Fayose referred to Tambuwal as "treacherous." Armaya’u Hamisu, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) returning officer returning officer for the Sokoto governorship election, announced the result on Sunday evening, March 19. Aliyu, an ally of the former Governor of Sokoto State and sitting senator, Aliyu Wamakko, polled 453,661 votes to defeat his closest rival, Saidu Umar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who polled 404,632 votes.

Mr. Aliyu, who was Tambuwal's deputy during his first tenure between 2015 and 2019, contested against Tambuwal in 2019 and lost with a close margin of 342 votes after a re-run. Fayose's video, widely circulated on social media, saw him boasting about Aliyu's victory while calling out Tambuwal's betrayal.

Tambuwal, a member of the PDP, was previously a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) before defecting in 2018. His defection was a blow to the APC as he was the party's only governor in the country's country's country's northwest region. However, he has remained popular in Sokoto, winning his re-election bid in 2019.

Fayose, known for his vocal opposition to the APC-led government, has been actively involved in politics in recent years. His celebration of Aliyu's victory over Tambuwal's candidate will likely cause more tension within the PDP.