By: Manoah kikekon
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| Muhammadu Buhari and Bola Ahmed Tinubu |
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, has stirred controversy by asserting that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari’s personal integrity not Bola Tinubu’s political merger was the decisive factor in the 2015 presidential victory.
Speaking at the book launch of ex-presidential aide Garba Shehu, Mustapha downplayed Tinubu’s role, revealing that the merger only contributed three million of the 15.4 million votes that secured Buhari’s historic win.
Mustapha highlighted Buhari’s electoral journey, noting his persistent appeal despite previous losses. In 2003, Buhari garnered 2.7 million votes against Olusegun Obasanjo. By 2011, his support had surged to 12.2 million votes proving his nationwide influence even before Tinubu’s alliance.
“President Buhari’s integrity, national stature, and disciplined messaging were central to that breakthrough,” Mustapha insisted, dismissing claims that the merger alone tipped the scales.
While acknowledging Tinubu’s role, Mustapha emphasized that the merger only boosted Buhari’s 2011 figures by three million votes. “What we brought to the table after the merger, outside Buhari’s 12.5 million votes, was just three million,” he said.
Despite the All Progressives Congress (APC) uniting parties like the ACN (with six states) and ANPP (three states), Mustapha argued that Buhari’s core support base remained the foundation of his victory.
Mustapha conceded that Tinubu’s political maneuvering helped solidify the APC’s structure. “His endorsement and participation, along with other leaders like Bola Tinubu and Ali Modu Sheriff, lent credibility to the merger,” he admitted.
However, his remarks suggest that Tinubu’s influence was more about coalition-building than vote delivery a nuance that could reshape perceptions of Nigeria’s political dynamics.
The revelation comes amid lingering tensions between Tinubu and Buhari’s camp. During the 2023 campaign, Tinubu publicly criticized Buhari for not reciprocating his 2015 support, recalling how he consoled Buhari after his 2011 loss.
“I told him, ‘This is not a crying matter—we will support you, and you will be president,’” Tinubu had said. The statement angered some Northerners, who viewed it as disrespectful.
Mustapha’s comments could reignite debates about regional alliances and personal credibility in Nigerian politics. With Tinubu now president, the narrative of who truly delivered the 2015 victory may influence future electoral strategies. Analysts suggest that while mergers are crucial, a candidate’s individual reputation as in Buhari’s case can be equally decisive.