By Okoi Obono-Obla
Tinubu and Buhari: A Political Partnership Forged in History:
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assertion that he is a partner of President Muhammadu Buhari was not a mere political gesture to impress Northerners. It came from the depths of his heart, a sentiment rooted in years of collaboration and shared vision. I know this because I was a witness, serving as National Legal Adviser, National Deputy Secretary, Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressives Congress (CPC), and also as Secretary/Member of the CPC Merger Committee and Co-Secretary of the Joint Inter-Party Merger Committee that negotiated the merger of Tinubu’s ACN, Buhari’s CPC, ANPP, Rochas Okorocha’s faction of APGA, and the defunct DPP.
The exploratory talks between Buhari and Tinubu began around 2008. By 2011, they had negotiated for Tinubu to be Buhari’s presidential running mate. However, Buhari had already nominated Pastor Tunde Bakare, and the legal complexities of replacing him caused the alliance to falter. Yet, this setback led to a greater vision: merging their parties to form a broad-based national progressive party capable of challenging the dominance of the PDP. Thus, the APC was born.
Tinubu strategically influenced the hosting of the APC national convention in Lagos to nominate its presidential candidate. Buhari, handicapped financially against heavyweights like Atiku Abubakar, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, and Rochas Okorocha, benefited from Tinubu’s leverage and network, which ultimately secured his nomination. Tinubu also played significant roles behind the scenes in Buhari’s 2019 victory. Despite attempts by fifth columnists to sow division, their partnership endured.
A former Minister from Bauchi State, who was close to Buhari, told me in 2020 that every conscientious Northerner must support Tinubu because of the pivotal role he played in Buhari’s eventual success after three failed attempts.
Tinubu’s uncanny capacity to build bridges across Nigeria’s national divides is a lesson for any aspiring leader. He has consistently demonstrated the ability to unite diverse interests in a fractious country, and anyone who underestimates him does so at their own peril.
Conclusion:
The political partnership between Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari is a testament to strategic vision, resilience, and bridge-building. It underscores the importance of collaboration in achieving national leadership and offers a model for future leaders who aspire to govern Nigeria.
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