Politics
2023: Buhari Was Shocked By Osinbajo’s Challenge To Tinubu – Bisi Akande
By Benjamin Abioye
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Former interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has revealed that it was not former President Muhammadu Buhari who influenced former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to challenge Asiwaju Bola Tinubu for the APC’s 2023 presidential ticket.
Akande, who had a conversation with Buhari about the situation, confirmed that he questioned the former president about Osinbajo’s decision to contest the ticket. Buhari responded by denying any involvement in Osinbajo’s decision to run.
Chief Akande explained that Buhari told him it was against his cultural values to challenge one’s mentor for a position. Akande further noted that when he asked Buhari about opposing Tinubu’s candidacy, the former president made it clear that he had not taken such a stance. However, Akande also acknowledged that despite efforts to maintain harmony among Yoruba aspirants, Osinbajo did not back down from his bid for the presidency.
Reflecting on his involvement in the political career of Osinbajo, Akande shared that he had played a significant role in recommending Osinbajo as Tinubu’s vice-presidential running mate. According to Akande, in 2011, when Tinubu was discussing possible candidates with Buhari to replace Pastor Tunde Bakare, he recommended Osinbajo for the role. “I told Tinubu, ‘I’m going to recommend Osinbajo, and I did,'” Akande recalled.
During the interview, Akande also commented on Tinubu’s political knowledge. He acknowledged that Tinubu had been well-versed in Lagos and American politics, but he emphasized that Tinubu was not as knowledgeable about Nigerian politics at that time. “He may have known a lot about the politics of Lagos and America, but he was very ignorant about the politics of Nigeria,” Akande said. However, he added that, as president, Tinubu had likely gained more insight into the complexities of Nigerian politics.
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