A prominent founding member of Nigeria’s All Progressives Congress (APC), Bisi Akande, has refuted claims that former President Muhammadu Buhari encouraged ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to run for president against Bola Tinubu in the 2023 general election. Osinbajo, widely considered a political protégé of Tinubu, having served as his Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General in Lagos State, participated in the APC presidential primary.
Speculation had previously suggested that Tinubu played a significant role in Osinbajo’s ascent to the vice presidency alongside Buhari. However, Osinbajo’s decision to contest the APC primary in 2022, rather than stepping aside for Tinubu, generated considerable political discussion. While Tinubu ultimately secured the party’s nomination, Osinbajo finished a distant third in the contest.
Speaking in an interview on the podcast ‘State Affairs’ with Edmund Obilo, Akande asserted that Osinbajo did not withdraw from the primary because he had every right to participate. Akande stated his desire for all aspirants to feel free to contest, emphasizing a preference for issue-based campaigns over personal attacks, with the ultimate goal of seeing a Yoruba president emerge.
Akande recounted holding several meetings where he urged candidates to voluntarily step down if a consensus emerged. He noted that on the eve of the primary, some aspirants did indeed withdraw their candidacies, indicating that it was not too late for such decisions. Osinbajo, however, did not step down, and Akande did not subsequently discuss this with Tinubu.
The APC stalwart further dismissed suggestions that former President Buhari was opposed to Tinubu’s presidential bid. Akande revealed that he directly questioned Buhari about his stance and that Buhari made it clear he had not instigated Osinbajo’s contest. Buhari reportedly expressed surprise at Osinbajo’s decision, given cultural norms where one typically avoids competing against a mentor.
Akande maintained that Buhari conveyed his respect for tradition, indicating that in his culture, one would not contest for a position if their mentor was also vying for it. Despite Osinbajo’s participation, Buhari reportedly wished him well, underscoring his surprise rather than any active opposition to Tinubu.
