Politics

Presidency, APC Stalwarts Dispute Boss Mustapha’s Claims on Buhari’s 2015 Victory

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 11th, 2025.

Presidency, APC Stalwarts Dispute Boss Mustapha’s Claims on Buhari’s 2015 Victory

Top officials in the presidency and prominent members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have pushed back against recent comments by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, concerning the factors behind Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 presidential win.

Speaking at a book presentation in Abuja on Wednesday, Mustapha suggested that Buhari’s credibility and image of discipline—not the influence of then-APC national leader Bola Ahmed Tinubu—were central to his electoral triumph.

His remarks have since sparked strong reactions, particularly from figures close to President Bola Tinubu.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday, presidential aide Bayo Onanuga dismissed Mustapha’s assertions, emphasizing that Tinubu’s role was crucial to Buhari securing the APC presidential ticket and ultimately winning the 2015 election. Onanuga maintained that without Tinubu’s strategic support, Buhari would not have emerged victorious against key contenders like Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso during the 2014 APC primaries in Lagos.

He further noted that Mustapha lacked firsthand experience of the party’s foundation and the complex political maneuvering that took place in its early years.

“Boss Mustapha was not present in the trenches with us back in 2003, during Buhari’s initial foray into presidential politics. At the time, he was aligned with the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and wasn’t privy to the intricate political negotiations that unfolded. His analysis relies too much on numbers, not the underlying political dynamics,” Onanuga explained.

Echoing this stance, APC chieftain Osita Okechukwu recounted past efforts to form alliances that ultimately shaped the APC. He highlighted that in 2011, failed merger attempts between Buhari’s CPC and Tinubu’s ACN led to another electoral loss. But by 2013, successful negotiations gave birth to the APC and paved the way for victory.

Okechukwu underlined that Tinubu’s support and political machinery were pivotal, despite his ties to other northern heavyweights like Atiku and Kwankwaso. He recalled that as a CPC delegate, he was part of early talks where it was agreed they would only negotiate with the ACN. This was during crucial meetings, including one hosted at Chief Tom Ikimi’s residence in Abuja.

“Tinubu’s contributions brought the necessary votes to achieve the required two-thirds spread. Without his strategic alliance and grassroots strength, Buhari’s victory would not have been possible,” he stated.

He reiterated that the decisive 2015 win was the outcome of years of negotiation, compromise, and Tinubu’s unwavering backing—a contrast to the failed 2011 bid that lacked such unity.