Tinubu seeks clarification on personal contributions to Buhari's presidency, inquires Amaechi
In the aftermath of the 2023 presidential election in Rivers State, Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, has added another twist to the ongoing controversy. During an X Space discussion on Saturday, Amaechi made several surprising statements regarding the election results and the factors that led to Muhammadu Buhari's presidency in 2015.
According to INEC, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Labour Party (LP) were the main contenders in Rivers State, with the APC declared the winner with 231,591 votes. However, Amaechi agreed that Peter Obi, the Labour Party presidential candidate, won the election in Rivers State. He also acknowledged the LP received 175,071 votes in the state.
Amaechi expressed uncertainty about how the results in Rivers State were changed to favour the APC. He declared that "God and the Nigerian people made Buhari president, not any individual or group." This statement contrasts with the widely acknowledged role of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, who played a significant part in Buhari's emergence as president in 2015.
Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, was instrumental in the unification of various opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013. This merger of Nigeria's three biggest opposition parties provided a strong platform for Buhari’s presidential candidacy. Tinubu initially sought to be Buhari’s vice president but later supported Yemi Osinbajo for that role. His political influence and efforts helped Buhari and APC defeat the then-incumbent president in 2015, marking the first time an acting Nigerian president lost to an opposition candidate.
Amaechi's comments come amidst claims that Tinubu's influence significantly contributed to Buhari's election as president in 2015. During his 2022 campaign in Ogun State, Tinubu stated that 2023 was his turn after supporting Buhari's presidency.
Amidst the controversy, Amaechi has challenged those claiming involvement in Buhari’s presidency to disclose their contributions. His statements add another layer to the ongoing debate about the 2015 and 2023 elections in Nigeria. The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is the body responsible for announcing the winner of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria.
- In 2015, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, played a significant role in the unification of various opposition parties to form the All Progressives Congress (APC), thereby providing a strong platform for Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential candidacy.
- During his 2022 campaign in Ogun State, Tinubu stated that 2023 was his turn after supporting Buhari’s presidency, indicating his potential bid for the presidency in the near future.
- Rotimi Amaechi, former Minister of Transportation, has added fuel to the controversy surrounding the 2015 presidential election, stating that God and the Nigerian people made Buhari president, contradicting the widely acknowledged role of Tinubu in Buhari’s emergence.
- Amaechi's comments challenge those claiming involvement in Buhari’s presidency to disclose their contributions, adding another layer to the ongoing debate about the 2015 and 2023 elections in Nigeria.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the body responsible for announcing the winner of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, will have the final say on the legitimacy of the election results.
