According to a new biography of the late former president Muhammadu Buhari, he did not back Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s 2023 presidential campaign because Bola Tinubu was also running.
Dr. Charles Omole’s book, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammad Buhari, contains the revelation.
The book, which was unveiled on Monday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, details Buhari’s life, including his military service, political career, and last days.
Omole claims that Buhari was taken aback by Osinbajo’s strategy of running against Tinubu.
“I don’t know Osinbajo from anywhere, I met him only through Tinubu,” Buhari stated, according to Omole.
According to the author, many saw Tinubu’s nomination as a presidential contender as a reward for serving as the All Progressives Congress’ (APC) political godfather and fundraiser.
A divide within the ruling party is also documented in the book, which describes a “anti-Tinubu consensus” among some influential individuals, referred to as a cabal.
Ironically, according to Omole, “Buhari’s strict enforcement of the rules may have indirectly aided Tinubu, as the cabal’s plans to impose another candidate were repeatedly thwarted by Buhari’s fastidiousness.”
Omole further disclosed that Buhari was not impressed by Osinbajo’s decision to declare his intention without first consulting him.
According to sources, Buhari was not impressed by Osinbajo’s failure to “consult” or ask for his advice. Osinbajo only “informed” him instead.
According to the book, “the president was cited as wondering how his Vice President could go against his benefactor in such an open way.”
The book also highlighted Aisha Buhari’s ardent support for Tinubu prior to the 2023 election, a position that apparently infuriated the influential cabal. But she didn’t let anything stop her.
“The powerful cabal was challenged by Aisha Buhari’s fervent support for Tinubu’s candidacy.” But she didn’t seem to care,” Omole wrote.
Tinubu allegedly met Aisha after observing her zeal and asked her to help him and his wife, Sen. Remi Tinubu, organize the women’s campaign. The APC Women’s Campaign Council was created as a result of her agreement.
Regarding the wider struggle inside the APC, Omole reaffirmed that Tinubu benefited from Buhari’s insistence on an open and fair process, notwithstanding the anti-Tinubu feeling among some elites.
“There was an anti-Tinubu consensus among the cabal,” the author stated.
Ironically, Tinubu may have benefited indirectly from Buhari’s stringent enforcement of the rules, as the cabal’s attempts to impose a different candidate were frequently foiled by Buhari’s meticulousness.
“The cabal wanted to force a candidate into the APC primary, but Buhari stopped the plan when he learned about it and objected to it.”
