A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress and presidential aspirant, Rotimi Amaechi, has dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was responsible for the emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015, insisting he played the central role in securing Buhari’s victory.
Amaechi, a former minister of transportation, said he remained silent on the issue while serving in Buhari’s cabinet to avoid possible repercussions.
“When I was a minister, Tinubu was claiming he made Buhari president, and I couldn’t respond because Buhari could have fired me because I was still serving as a minister,” Amaechi said.
“Tinubu didn’t make Buhari president. I did all the battle, not Tinubu.”
The remarks are the latest sign of widening cracks and rivalry among influential figures within Nigeria’s political establishment ahead of future electoral contests.
Amaechi, once a key ally within the ruling political bloc, has in recent months adopted a more confrontational tone on issues surrounding power, influence and the legacy of the 2015 presidential election that brought Buhari to office after defeating incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan.
His comments are likely to stir fresh debate over the internal dynamics that shaped one of Nigeria’s most consequential political transitions.
