The Presidency has firmly rejected Boss Mustapha’s claims that President Bola Tinubu was not vital to Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 electoral success. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to the President, labelled Mustapha’s statements as a “disservice to our recent history.”
Ajayi asserted that Tinubu’s political influence and strategic organisation were essential for Buhari to secure the APC presidential candidacy. His comments came in response to Mustapha’s remarks during the launch of “According to the President,” a book written by Buhari’s former spokesperson Garba Shehu, where Mustapha reportedly downplayed Tinubu’s involvement.
He pointed to the decisive 2014 APC primary at Teslim Balogun Stadium, highlighting how Tinubu’s influence among APC governors and South West delegates was pivotal for Buhari’s nomination. Ajayi contended that while Buhari’s 12 million Northern votes were significant, they alone would not have guaranteed a national victory without Tinubu’s strategic backing.
Buhari’s victory in the 2015 election, which saw him defeat incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, was a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s political landscape, facilitated by the coalition efforts led by Tinubu.
