Buhari's Emergence as APC Candidate Debated in Nigeria's Politics

Nigeria's politics remains a web of complex alliances and rival claims, with the emergence of President Muhammadu Buhari as the first candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2014 being a contentious issue. According to Lauretta Onochie, Buhari's former Special Assistant, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not support Buhari's emergence as APC candidate in 2014. However, Boss Mustapha, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has countered this claim by stating that the APC leveraged Buhari's popularity to win the presidency in 2014. Mustapha attributed the victory to the votes from the CPC and followers of Buhari, rather than Tinubu's influence.

Key Takeaways:

• Lauretta Onochie claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not support Muhammadu Buhari's emergence as APC candidate in 2014.
• Boss Mustapha counters this claim by stating that Buhari's popularity was the key factor in APC's victory in 2014, not Tinubu's influence.
• According to Mustapha, the votes that delivered victory for the APC in 2014 came from the CPC and followers of Buhari.
• Lauretta Onochie praises Boss Mustapha for "puncturing the lies of those unsuccessfully trying to rewrite history."
• Lauretta Onochie also clarifies that Tinubu did not support Buhari's emergence as candidate in 2014, stating "Fact."

Statistics:

• 12.5 million votes were attributed to Buhari's popularity in 2014 (Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, front page).
• APC was formed in 2013 from a merger of major parties, including Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
• Buhari was a two-term president from 2015 to 2023.
• The CPC controlled only one state at the time of APC's formation in 2013.

Sources:

• "According to The President: Lessons From A Presidential Spokesman Experience" by Garba Shehu (Ex-President Buhari's spokesperson)
• Nigerian Tribune Newspaper, front page
• X post by Lauretta Onochie