By Bola Babarinde, writing from South Africa
Former Chairman, APC South Africa Chapter
In a recent and controversial statement, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, claimed that “no one made Muhammadu Buhari president,” a remark many Nigerians find difficult to digest, given the historical facts surrounding the 2015 elections and the undeniable role played by key political actors.
To contextualize, Mustapha rose to the position of SGF following the unceremonious removal of Babachir Lawal over corruption allegations. While his loyalty to the Buhari administration is unquestioned, his recent comments seem at odds with both the political history and the sacrifices made by individuals who made Buhari’s presidency possible.
It is a matter of public record that Muhammadu Buhari contested and lost three presidential elections in 2003, 2007, and 2011. These losses were not due to electoral malpractice but rather political miscalculations and a lack of strategic coalition-building. On the third attempt, in 2011, he was so emotionally overwhelmed by the loss that he wept openly, a moment I recall vividly, having just arrived in Nigeria from South Africa, while visiting my friend Mr. Pekun Adeyanju at the Ikeja office of PHCN.
Many of us believed that Buhari, known for his strict leadership as a former military Head of State during the disciplined Buhari/Idiagbon era, deserved another chance to serve the country, this time through democratic means. But the truth remains: Buhari could never have won a presidential election in Nigeria on his own, no matter how many times he tried. Democracy, particularly in Nigeria, requires more than numbers, it requires strategy, alliances, and political intelligence.
Buhari ran with running mates from the South-East and South-West at different times and still lost. He campaigned vigorously but failed to build the kind of national platform that could deliver a victory. It was not until Bola Ahmed Tinubu, widely regarded as the political architect of modern Nigeria, stepped in that the game changed.
Tinubu offered Buhari more than just a platform, he gave him a viable political structure in the form of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a powerful coalition forged from the merger of major opposition parties. This alliance, backed by grassroots mobilization and strategic political planning, delivered the presidency to Buhari in 2015. Tinubu saw in Buhari a man of integrity, while Buhari saw in Tinubu a political mastermind. It was a perfect political synergy, with divine timing.
Boss Mustapha’s remarks downplay not only the political capital invested by Tinubu but also insult the intelligence of millions of Nigerians who witnessed the events leading up to Buhari’s historic victory. Unless Buhari himself publicly disowns Tinubu’s role in his ascension, a move he is unlikely to make, given his reputation for honesty, Mustapha’s statement remains speculative and ungrateful.
Rather than revising history, Mustapha should reflect on how he became SGF himself. Power in Nigeria is not seized in isolation; it is earned through networks, negotiations, and, yes, the support of kingmakers.
It is unimaginable that Vice President Yemi Osinbajo would deny that Tinubu played a central role in his nomination. So why should Boss Mustapha attempt to diminish Tinubu’s well-documented contribution to Buhari’s presidency?
In conclusion, Mustapha’s comment was unnecessary, misleading, and disappointing. He owes the APC, President Tinubu, and millions of Nigerians who supported the Buhari-Tinubu alliance an apology. Let us respect history, not rewrite it.
By Bola Babarinde, writing from South Africa.
