A statement by former Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Boss Mustapha, downplaying President Bola Tinubu’s role in the 2015 presidential victory of Muhammadu Buhari has opened a Pandora’s Box of reactions across the nation.
Mustapha’s assertion that Buhari, already a formidable force with over 12 million votes, essentially sailed to victory on his own steam, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) merely paving the way, has stirred the hornet’s nest, prompting a flurry of dissenting voices.
The former SGF’s remarks, suggesting that the formation of the APC was the true game-changer, and not any single individual’s contribution, appear to have touched a raw nerve among many who recall the political landscape of 2015 with vivid clarity.
Among those who have thrown their hats into the ring of this burgeoning debate is Emmanuel Obinwa Nwoko, who could not help but “laugh whenever I see people commenting on the 2015 election, trying to downplay Tinubu’s massive contribution.”
Nwoko firmly believes that Tinubu “practically handed APC the 2015 victory by strategically aligning with his loyal politicians within Jonathan’s administration.” For him, it’s as plain as the nose on one’s face: “Without Tinubu, no victory for APC.”
Salami Kabir Akinkunmi echoed this sentiment, asserting that “The role of PBAT in the 2015 coalition can never be underestimated; he was the pivotal force behind the formation of the APC and was instrumental in transforming it from an opposition to a ruling party.” Akinkunmi lauded Tinubu’s “sacrifice, patience, vision, and the exceptional qualities he embodies,” distinguishing him from other political figures.
James Banks Nanfwang went a step further, stating unequivocally, “Without Tinubu, Buhari would have no place in the primaries. In fact, he Kwankwaso would have won the ticket.”
A unique insight came from Chinedu Nwobunwo, who identified himself as a “Buhari’s agent.” Nwobunwo revealed that he was “sent a number of times to Bola Ahmed Tinubu to find supports to some of our communication issues because then, till today, President Tinubu has this country’s biggest media assets, and he has never failed to come to our (President Buhari’s Government) aid.”
El Aeghun, in a burst of incredulity, stated, “I laugh when he was speaking. Infact, without BAT, GMB won’t have become PMB. It was his gripped of his southwestern state that gives flavour and aroma to the coalition and successful victory.” He emphasized that “History can be rewritten but not in this era of advance information technology.” El Aeghun further asserted that the coalition “did not even win outrightly,” crediting “nPDP and Wike-like PDP (1 leg in PDP and 1 leg in Apc)” for the victory, alongside a “president who was so kind and generous to politics.”
Joseph Agbu Samila found Mustapha’s statement “funny,” posing a poignant question: “why didn’t President Buhari win in his first three attempts until a merger shifted the tide?” Samila contended that while Buhari “may have had block votes, but someone played a pivotal role in his emergence.” He stressed that “PBAT’s contributions were instrumental, accounting for over 50% of the support in both the primary and general elections,” concluding that “Without Tinubu’s backing, PMB might not have secured the APC flagbearer ticket, especially considering that many Northern delegates initially voted and supported Kwankwaso and Atiku respectively.”
Muhibi Idris, however, chose to focus on Mustapha’s core argument, stating, “The coalition or Nigerians voted massively for Buhari 2015? Boss Mustapha said that because some people said Tinubu make Buhari the president.”
Adding a direct quote to the mix, Ajayi Kenny Shine recalled, “but Tinubu openly said it during his meeting in Ogun state said Buhari came to meet him cry on national television, that he made Buhari to become president that his turn to be President we all hear it.”
Oje Olusola, while acknowledging that Boss Mustapha’s stance “though delusional may be a push back to the narrative that President Tinubu single-handedly delivered the presidency to Buhari,” offered a more balanced view. “My position is that an APC victory in 2015 is all about cooperation and collaboration of all dramatis personnel.”
Finally, Success-Olubunmi Ajayi left no room for doubt: “There won’t be Buhari Presidency, without Tinubu mobilizing for him in the APC Primary Election. There was no way Buhari could have defeated Atikudollar for any Primary Election in the world then.” Ajayi concluded by dismissing the relevance of current “Buhari boys,” stating they “had Zero relevance to make Buhari the candidate of APC then.”
