It is wrong to say Tinubu made Buhari President, I did – Former Minister boasts

Former Minister of Transportation and presidential aspirant of the African Democratic Congress, Rotimi Amaechi, has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s claim that he was responsible for Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as president in 2015.

Amaechi made the remarks during an interview on Arise Television on Friday night, insisting that he played the central role in Buhari’s successful presidential campaign.

The former Rivers State governor said he had remained silent on the issue for years because he was serving in Buhari’s cabinet and did not want to risk losing his position as minister.

According to him, Tinubu’s repeated claim that he made Buhari president was inaccurate.

“When I was a minister, Tinubu was claiming he made Buhari president, and I couldn’t respond because that was suicidal. Buhari could have fired me because I was still serving as a minister,” Amaechi said.

The ADC presidential hopeful maintained that he was deeply involved in the political struggles and campaign activities that eventually led to Buhari’s victory at the 2015 presidential election.

“Tinubu didn’t make Buhari president. Not only that I was the DG of the campaign, everyone knows that I did all the battle, not Tinubu,” he stated.

Amaechi’s comments come years after Tinubu publicly declared during the buildup to the 2023 presidential election that he played a major role in Buhari’s emergence and therefore deserved the support of the ruling party for his own presidential ambition.

Tinubu had at the time argued that it was his turn to lead the country after contributing significantly to the APC’s electoral victories.

JUST IN; APC announces Governorship candidates in 25 States

The All Progressives Congress on Thursday produced governorship candidates in 25 states ahead of the 2027 general elections, although internal disagreements over consensus arrangements forced the postponement of primaries in Kwara and Bauchi states.

The ruling party also rescheduled the State House of Assembly primaries for Maradun I and Maradun II constituencies in Zamfara State, while delays in the arrival of electoral materials disrupted voting in parts of Nasarawa State.

Among those who emerged as APC governorship candidates were Governors Sheriff Oborevwori in Delta, Peter Mbah in Enugu and Lagos State Deputy Governor, Obafemi Hamzat, who clinched the party’s ticket in Lagos.

Other states where governorship candidates emerged included Oyo, Benue, Sokoto, Gombe, Yobe, Niger, Borno, Ebonyi, Abia, Jigawa, Taraba, Zamfara, Plateau, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, Adamawa, Kano and Kaduna.

However, the APC National Working Committee shifted the governorship primaries in Kwara and Bauchi to Friday following consultations with stakeholders.

In a statement issued by APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party said the postponement was aimed at ensuring a smooth and credible process.

“The All Progressives Congress hereby announces the rescheduling of the governorship primary elections in Bauchi and Kwara States to Friday, May 22, 2026,” the statement read.

“The decision was approved by the National Working Committee following consultations with relevant stakeholders and in furtherance of the party’s commitment to ensuring a transparent, orderly, peaceful and credible primary election process.”

Despite the official explanation, the postponement triggered tension within the party, especially in Kwara and Bauchi where supporters accused powerful interests of attempting to impose preferred candidates.

In Kwara State, political uncertainty deepened around Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq’s preferred successor, Yahaya Seriki.

Hours after the postponement was announced, eight governorship aspirants reportedly stepped down in support of Seriki after consultations among party leaders.

Those who withdrew included Senator Ibrahim Oloriegbe, Prof. Wale Sulaiman, Dr Mohammed Bio, Dr Toyin Alabi and Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu.

Sources within the party said the aspirants agreed to support Seriki “in the interest of unity and continuity.”

In Bauchi State, supporters of governorship aspirant Nura Soro staged protests over alleged plans to manipulate the process.

Director of the Nura Soro Campaign Organisation, Dr Auwal Jada, accused unnamed interests of attempting to alter results.

“This is the way previous primary elections were conducted. Our people are here peacefully to protect electoral materials and ensure transparency,” he stated.

“If it is truly free and fair, there should be no secrecy. Agents of all aspirants should accompany the results from the wards, sign them and accept them before they are taken for final collation.”

Meanwhile, political tensions also surfaced in Rivers State after Governor Siminalayi Fubara reportedly withdrew from the APC governorship race in the interest of “peace and unity.”

The decision sparked outrage among some supporters and political associates, who accused influential figures within the party of sidelining the governor politically.

Despite the controversy, Kingsley Chinda emerged as the APC governorship candidate in Rivers after polling 268,497 votes.

Chairman of the APC Governorship Primary Election Committee, Bitrus Kwamoti, declared him winner.

“Ogundu Kingsley, having satisfied the requirements of the APC constitution and guidelines and scored the highest number of votes, is hereby declared the winner,” he stated.

In Delta State, Oborevwori secured the APC governorship ticket after polling 345,375 votes in a peaceful direct primary.

Speaking after the exercise, the governor described the process as transparent and violence-free.

“For the first time in Delta State, our primaries were conducted peacefully without violence, crisis or loss of lives. Nobody imposed candidates on the people. The people freely chose those they wanted,” he said.

In Enugu State, Mbah also emerged victorious as party members turned out across the state’s wards.

“It happened because our people are smart. Our people are wise and they know what is good when they see one,” Mbah stated.

In Lagos, Hamzat defeated Olanrewaju Jim-Kamal after polling 657,917 votes in the APC governorship primary conducted across the state’s 245 wards.

In Gombe State, Jamilu Gwamna recorded one of the biggest upsets of the primaries after defeating former ministers Isa Pantami and Said Alkali.

Gwamna polled 247,161 votes while Pantami secured 12,120 votes and Alkali got 11,612 votes.

The APC also confirmed that its presidential primary election will hold nationwide on May 23 through direct voting across the country’s 8,809 wards.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Stanley Osifo are the party’s two presidential aspirants.

BREAKING; APC Governorship Candidate for Kwara State finally emerges

Mr Yakubu Danladi-Saliu has won the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship primary in Kwara ahead of the 2027 election.

The Chairman of the Primary Election Committee, Sen. Musiliu Obanikoro, announced the result on Friday in Ilorin.
Obanikoro said Danladi-Saliu secured 94,990 votes to defeat nine other aspirants in the contest.
According to him, Amb. Abdulfatai Yahaya Seriki came second with 41,700 votes, while Olufemi Sanni polled 5,519 votes.
Dr Yahaya Oloriegbe scored 3,920 votes, while Mohammed Bergore (SAN) secured 3,411 votes.
Mohammed Bio polled 1,122 votes, Dr Alabi Oluwatoyin got 1,099 votes, while Bashiru Bolarinwa secured 22,118 votes.
Prof. Abubakar Suleiman scored 1,722 votes, while Prof. Wale Suleiman polled 2,434 votes.
Obanikoro said the primary, postponed earlier for logistical reasons, witnessed a peaceful turnout by party members across the state.
“In spite of the inconveniences experienced yesterday, members came out today in large numbers to peacefully participate in the exercise.
“This has demonstrated the unity, perseverance and strength of our great party,” Obanikoro added.
He said there was no loser in the contest, describing all aspirants as members of one political family.
“I hereby certify that Mr Yakubu Danladi-Saliu, having satisfied APC requirements and scored the highest votes, is declared winner,” Obanikoro said.
The Kwara APC Chairman, Prince Sunday Fagbemi, praised members for their orderly conduct during the exercise.
Fagbemi described the successful primary as proof of the party’s readiness for the 2027 general elections. (NAN)