Ex-VON DG Counters Boss Mustapha, Says Tinubu Played Pivotal Role in Buhari’s 2015 Victory

Political History Rewritten? Debate Erupts Over Tinubu’s Contribution to Buhari’s Presidential Win

A former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria (VON), Osita Okechukwu, has strongly disputed claims by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, that President Bola Tinubu wasn’t instrumental to former President Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 electoral victory.

The controversy stems from Mustapha’s recent remarks at a book presentation in Abuja, where he asserted that Tinubu – then leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) – didn’t make Buhari president, arguing that Buhari already commanded over 12 million votes before the 2015 election.

The Core of the Controversy

According to Mustapha’s statement, “The merger of the legacy parties merely contributed three million votes to his victory at the 2015 presidential election.” This claim has sparked heated debate among political stakeholders and analysts.

The Presidency quickly rejected Mustapha’s assertion, calling it “a disservice to our recent history.” In a detailed rebuttal, Okechukwu – an APC chieftain who served as VON DG under Buhari – presented a counter-narrative emphasizing Tinubu’s crucial role.

Okechukwu’s Firsthand Account

“May I hereby plead that there is no need for controversy because my friend, Boss Mustapha, should be excused as he was not with us in 2003 when Buhari began the presidential race,” Okechukwu stated. “He was in ACN and did not know the water which passed the realpolitik bridge; this is why he relied only on mathematical calculations of votes in 2015 and not on realpolitik.”

As one of Buhari’s long-standing political associates, Okechukwu brings unique historical perspective. He left the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) with Buhari to form the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which later merged with other parties to create the APC.

The Political Timeline

Okechukwu recounted key electoral moments:

• 2003: Buhari’s first presidential bid where he allegedly won more than the 12.7 million votes officially recorded
• 2007: The widely criticized election that brought Umaru Yar’Adua to power
• 2011: Failed merger attempt with Tinubu’s ACN leading to another Buhari loss
• 2013: Successful APC merger that Okechukwu credits for the 2015 victory

“In 2011, when our merger with Tinubu’s ACN failed, Buhari lost, and we rekindled the ACN merger once again. Luckily, this time, it produced the premium golden victory votes that propelled our principal to Aso Rock,” Okechukwu explained.

The “Premium Golden Votes” Factor

Okechukwu emphasized that President Tinubu’s contribution went beyond mere numbers, describing it as “premium golden victory votes” that were crucial for achieving the constitutional requirement of two-thirds spread across states.

He recalled a pivotal moment when Tinubu unequivocally guaranteed Buhari his support with all his political structure. “I am a witness to how this scenario played out when we, the delegates of the defunct CPC, were instructed to negotiate only with the ACN,” Okechukwu stated.

The former VON DG provided insider details of the merger negotiations at Chief Tom Ikimi’s Maitama residence in Abuja, where CPC delegates initially refused to negotiate with ANPP and other parties. “It took pleadings and adjournments before we all sat together to hatch the APC merger in July 2013,” he said.

“Truly, without Asiwaju’s premium supplementary votes, no two-thirds spread and no victory.”

Political Implications

This debate comes at a sensitive time in Nigerian politics, with various factions within the APC jostling for recognition and influence. Political analysts suggest the public disagreement reflects deeper tensions within the party about historical narratives and current power dynamics.

Okechukwu’s detailed account challenges the mathematical interpretation of Mustapha by emphasizing the strategic and structural contributions that made Buhari’s victory possible beyond raw vote numbers.

Looking Ahead

As Nigeria’s political landscape continues to evolve, such debates about historical events take on new significance. They shape perceptions of current leaders’ legitimacy and influence while setting the stage for future political alignments.

The full implications of this exchange remain to be seen, but it undoubtedly adds another layer to Nigeria’s complex political discourse as the nation looks toward future elections.

For more context on this developing story, read the original report from Premium Times.