How I Outsmarted Adamu to Ensure Tinubu Became APC Candidate — Omisore
Otunba Iyiola Omisore, former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has disclosed how he outmaneuvered the party’s former national chairman, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, to secure Bola Tinubu as the APC’s presidential candidate in 2022. This revelation comes two years after the contentious primary that resulted in Tinubu becoming the party’s candidate for the 2023 general election.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s socio-political program, ‘Inside Sources’ with Laolu Akande, Omisore shared his insights. He explained that Senator Adamu had aimed to keep the presidency in the North following President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight-year tenure. In contrast, Omisore was determined to ensure the party’s nominee came from the South-West.
“In politics, everyone has their objectives. We came from different geopolitical zones to the NWC, each representing various interests,” Omisore said. “As the senior member from the South-West, my mandate was to secure the presidency for our region. Others had similar mandates for their zones. I achieved my goal, and how I did it is between me and God. If I outsmarted someone in the process, so be it. The key point is that my mission was to deliver the South-West for the presidency, which we have accomplished.”
Despite Adamu’s support for another candidate, Omisore highlighted that the APC NWC facilitated a convention where democratic principles were upheld. “We voted transparently, and everyone had a choice. Transparency in the primaries ensured there were no disputes. It’s only when people feel cheated that they resort to court,” he added.
Omisore further clarified that the actions taken during the APC presidential primary were politically motivated and appropriate for that time. He emphasized that the party has since focused on reinforcing democratic gains for the benefit of Nigerians.
Reflecting on the primary, it’s noteworthy that Adamu had declared then Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the party’s consensus candidate in June 2022. However, this announcement faced strong opposition from a group of northern governors who preferred Tinubu, advocating for a rotational presidency.
Amid the internal party conflicts and dramatic twists, Tinubu triumphed over strong contenders, including Lawan, former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo. In the 2023 general election, Tinubu defeated opposition candidates Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP) to become president.
Two months after Tinubu’s inauguration in July 2023, Adamu and Omisore were compelled to resign from their positions as National Chairman and Secretary of the APC, respectively. Their resignations, under ambiguous circumstances, led to a new National Working Committee with former Kano State governor Abdullahi Ganduje and former Senate spokesman Ajibola Bashiru taking over as National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
