Politics
2023: Not Tinubu; Buhari’s Aide Reveals Who Ex-President Backed
Senator Babafemi Ojudu, former special adviser on political matters to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has revealed that ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, supported Osinbajo’s decision to run for president.
Ojudu was reacting to excerpts from Muhammadu Buhari: From Soldier to Statesman, a book written by Charles Omole, which suggested internal opposition to Osinbajo’s presidential ambition within the Buhari administration.
In a statement titled Setting the Record Straight on President Buhari and Professor Yemi Osinbajo’s Presidential Bid, Ojudu said the accounts circulating from the book were misleading.
Ojudu said he served as special adviser on political matters in the office of the vice-president between 2016 and 2022 and was directly involved in discussions on succession.
He said Buhari and Osinbajo discussed the vice-president’s presidential ambition on at least four occasions.
According to Ojudu, Buhari expressed “clear, unequivocal support” for Osinbajo’s ambition during each of the meetings.
“At no time — explicitly or implicitly — did President Buhari suggest that Professor Osinbajo should refrain from contesting,” Ojudu said.
“At no time did he indicate a preference that the Vice President should defer to, step aside for, or subordinate his ambition to any other aspirant,” he added.
Ojudu said Buhari initially advised Osinbajo to reflect carefully on the prospects of a presidential bid and assured him of support whatever decision he took.
He said Buhari later described Osinbajo as “by far the best person for the job”, citing continuity, stability and experience.
Ojudu said Buhari noted that Osinbajo had developed a deep understanding of governance, worked diligently, acted as president on several occasions and demonstrated leadership steadiness.
He said the fourth discussion took place shortly before Osinbajo’s supporters obtained the presidential nomination forms, with Buhari again expressing full backing.
Ojudu said Buhari’s support was also expressed publicly during a federal executive council meeting when the former president acknowledged Osinbajo’s nationwide consultations.
He added that Buhari encouraged Osinbajo to consult governors and National Assembly leaders before declaring his ambition.
Ojudu said Buhari commended Osinbajo after his declaration and requested to review his declaration speech.
He said at least three governors also met privately with Buhari to discuss Osinbajo’s candidacy and were told the vice-president was the best choice.
Ojudu described as “implausible and mischievous” suggestions that Osinbajo pursued a presidential bid without Buhari’s knowledge or approval.
He said Osinbajo lacked a personal political machinery and could not have realistically pursued the presidency without Buhari’s backing.
Ojudu added: Anyone who sets out to write about the Buhari presidency has a basic obligation to fairness and inquiry. That obligation includes giving those concerned the opportunity to state their own case. History is not written to settle scores. It is written to illuminate truth.”
Former presidential adviser Hakeem Baba-Ahmed has predicted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) could suffer an implosion if former Vice President Atiku Abubakar secures the party’s presidential ticket for the 2027 general election.
Baba-Ahmed made the assertion on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he spoke on the dynamics within the coalition-backed party and the ambitions of its leading figures. According to him, Atiku is strongly positioned to emerge as the ADC’s flagbearer if the party conducts a national convention, a development he believes would trigger an exodus of aggrieved aspirants and supporters.
“If ADC goes to convention, and it certainly will, because that’s what former Vice President Atiku wants, he will get the ticket,” Baba-Ahmed said. “And then, a lot of people will walk out because a lot of people are in that party only for the same thing. They want the ticket.”
He argued that the ADC is currently accommodating several high-profile political actors whose interests are bound to clash once the process of selecting a presidential candidate begins. Baba-Ahmed also referenced the posture of former Anambra State governor, Peter Obi, suggesting that Obi’s political style does not align with competitive party primaries.
“One of the reasons Peter Obi is saying, ‘Look at me, I’m not here for number two, I’m not here for convention, I’m here to fly the flag,’ is that he has people who were initially whispering politely to him,” he said. “But now they are saying, ‘Join the queue. You’re not the only one with ambition here.’”
He added that Obi was accustomed to being adopted as a consensus candidate rather than contesting against multiple aspirants. “Peter Obi doesn’t do convention. He just goes there to be anointed,” Baba-Ahmed said, suggesting that such expectations could fuel tensions within the ADC.
The former presidential adviser concluded that the outcome of the party’s convention could destabilise the coalition. “So, the ADC will bleed after its convention because almost certainly former Vice President Atiku will win the ticket, and when he does, some people will walk out,” he said.
A prominent northern political figure has outlined what he believes is the only realistic path for Peter Obi to emerge as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general election.
The politician, Umar Ardo, said Obi’s ambition within the ADC depends largely on the decision of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
According to him, Obi cannot clinch the party’s ticket unless Atiku withdraws from the race.
Ardo, who convenes the League of Northern Democrats and once sought the governorship of Adamawa State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), shared his views during a televised interview on Tuesday. He maintained that the current political structure of the ADC strongly favours Atiku.
Moreover, He explained that Atiku remains the dominant force within the party and would easily defeat any challenger if a primary election were held today.
Ardo insisted that repeated primaries would still produce the same outcome unless Atiku decides otherwise.
“Well, the ADC, as it is currently constituted, if it goes for primaries a hundred times, Atiku will win a hundred times. There is absolutely no doubt about that. How Peter Obi and his supporters react is what will determine the election,” Ardo said.
“I am not saying that Peter Obi cannot be the candidate of the party; however, he can only be the candidate of the party if Atiku steps down,” he added.
Despite his position, Ardo acknowledged Obi’s political relevance and described him as a major asset to the ADC. He noted that the former Anambra State governor commands a large and loyal voter base across the country.
He said Obi’s popularity, which he estimated at over six million votes, is one of the reasons the ADC is keen on keeping him within its fold. According to Ardo, the party sees Obi as a strategic figure who can strengthen its chances in the next election.
Peter Obi, who contested the 2023 presidential election on the platform of the Labour Party, recently aligned with the ADC after months of consultations with party stakeholders. His move sparked wide reactions within opposition circles and among his supporters nationwide.
Obi formally addressed his supporters during a political gathering held in Enugu on December 31, where he explained the motivation behind his decision to join the ADC. He described the move as a fresh political journey aimed at national renewal.
The ADC has recently attracted several heavyweight politicians from across the country. Among them are former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Senate President David Mark.
These political actors are part of a growing opposition coalition seeking to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 presidential election.
As a result, the group adopted the ADC as its common platform last year in a bid to present a united front.
BREAKING: Tinubu Makes U-Turn, Cancels Ambassadorial Posting of Top Former Governor
BREAKING: Rivers Lawmakers in Fresh Trouble: Account For ₦350m or Face Action, 7-Day Deadline Given
JUST IN: PDP Senatorial Candidate Is Dead
These ’90s fashion trends are making a comeback in 2017
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
-
News1 day agoBREAKING: Rivers Lawmakers in Fresh Trouble: Account For ₦350m or Face Action, 7-Day Deadline Given
-
News2 days agoBREAKING: Tension As DSS Summons Awujale Nominees, Kingmakers Cancel Process
-
Business2 days agoAfter Dangote, Another World Class Refinery to Be Built in Nigeria, CEO Confirms Location
-
News2 days agoJUST IN: PDP Senatorial Candidate Is Dead
-
News3 hours agoBREAKING: Tinubu Makes U-Turn, Cancels Ambassadorial Posting of Top Former Governor