Tinubu Won 2023 Election Without Buhari's Full Support, Says APC Spokesperson
Alwan Hassan claims President Tinubu secured victory independently despite former President Buhari's lukewarm campaign involvement.
1Spokesperson Challenges Party Narrative
Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, recently asserted that President Bola Tinubu achieved his 2023 electoral victory without the full backing of his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari. This claim emerged during a television interview, reigniting discussions regarding the internal dynamics within the ruling party during the last cycle.
2Allegations of Lukewarm Support
During the interview on Channels Television, Hassan explicitly stated that Buhari did not actively campaign for Tinubu as expected. He argued that the current president secured his win against significant odds, suggesting that the former president failed to deploy his political influence effectively to support the party's chosen candidate during the election.
3Historical Context of Primary Tensions
The remarks recall the period leading up to the APC presidential primary, where Buhari remained notably undecided. Other candidates, such as former transport minister Rotimi Amaechi, claimed Buhari had previously assured them of his support. This indecision created a climate of uncertainty and frustration among various party stakeholders during the nomination process.
4Tinubu's Abeokuta Outburst
Tinubu’s frustration with Buhari’s perceived lack of support peaked during a political event in Abeokuta. He publicly recounted his instrumental role in helping Buhari become president in 2015, contrasting that effort with the lukewarm reception he received for his own presidential bid, which signaled deep-seated friction between the two political leaders.
5Buhari's Official Campaign Actions
Despite the claims of insufficient support, Buhari did eventually endorse the Tinubu-Shettima ticket at a rally in Jos in November 2022. He later pledged to continue campaigning for the candidate in Nasarawa and confirmed he voted for Tinubu on election day in Daura, Katsina State, maintaining a formal public alignment throughout.
6Conflicting Accounts of Neutrality
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, provided a different perspective on the events. He stated that Buhari was initially reluctant to support Tinubu but eventually agreed to remain neutral. This allowed delegates to decide the primary outcome, contradicting the narrative that Buhari was actively working against the candidate.
7Political Succession and Party Dynamics
The relationship between Tinubu and Buhari has been defined by complex shifts in political succession. While Tinubu played a vital role in mobilizing national support for Buhari in 2015, the final months of the Buhari administration were marked by visible tensions regarding the party's presidential ticket and the future of the APC.
8Implications for 2027 Elections
Hassan’s comments were made while discussing Tinubu’s potential re-election bid in 2027. By emphasizing that Tinubu won independently, the spokesperson appears to be distancing the current administration from the previous one. This narrative may influence how the party manages its internal political structure and candidate support base moving toward the next cycle.