The Presidency has emphatically refuted Boss Mustapha’s claim that President Bola Tinubu was not instrumental in Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 presidential victory. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Public Affairs, characterised Mustapha’s remarks as a “disservice to our recent history.”
Ajayi asserted that without Tinubu’s political acumen and strategic mobilization, Buhari would never have secured the APC presidential ticket. His comments came in response to Mustapha’s remarks during the launch of “According to the President,” a book by Buhari’s former spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
Ajayi highlighted the pivotal role Tinubu played in the 2014 APC presidential primary at Teslim Balogun Stadium, where his influence swayed APC governors and South West delegates in Buhari’s favour. He stressed that Buhari’s foundational 12 million votes from the North would not have sufficed without Tinubu’s backing to achieve a nationwide victory.
In the historic 2015 election, Buhari triumphed over incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan, marking Nigeria’s first instance of a sitting president being ousted. Tinubu’s contributions were crucial in forming a broad coalition that led to this significant political shift.
### Version 2: “Boss Mustapha’s Claims on Tinubu Rejected by Presidency”
The Presidency has categorically dismissed former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha’s assertion that President Bola Tinubu played no critical role in Muhammadu Buhari’s ascension to the presidency in 2015. Temitope Ajayi, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu, referred to Mustapha’s claims as a “disservice to our recent history.”
Ajayi articulated that without Tinubu’s strategic influence and mobilization, Buhari would not have claimed the APC presidential nomination. This response was prompted by Mustapha’s comments at the launch of Garba Shehu’s book, “According to the President,” where he reportedly minimised Tinubu’s contributions.
Emphasising Tinubu’s influence during the 2014 APC primary at Teslim Balogun Stadium, Ajayi noted that Buhari’s candidacy depended on Tinubu’s ability to rally support from APC governors and South West delegates. He underscored that while Buhari had a reliable base of 12 million votes from the North, it was Tinubu’s strategic alliances that converted that base into a national victory.
In the 2015 elections, Buhari defeated incumbent Goodluck Jonathan, marking a critical moment in Nigeria’s political history, made possible by the coalition spearheaded by Tinubu.