Former governor and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice‑presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi told Mainland FM in Lagos that his loss to Bola Tinubu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary of 2022 was not due to Tinubu’s superior strength, but to a strategic error on his part.
What mistake does Amaechi cite?
He said the late President Muhammadu Buhari had personally instructed him to refrain from campaigning, assuring him that Buhari would later endorse him as the party’s flag‑bearer. Amaechi claimed Buhari even put the promise in writing.
Key facts from the interview
- The interview was recorded in Lagos on Mainland FM, a local radio station.
- Amaechi asserted that Buhari told him, “Do not campaign; I will announce you as my candidate.”
- He added that this advice directly influenced his decision to limit campaign activities ahead of the 2022 APC primary.
- Tinubu ultimately won the primary and was subsequently declared the winner of the 2023 Nigerian presidential election.
How did the primary unfold?
In the contested 2022 APC primary, Tinubu emerged as the victor, while Amaechi placed second. Many of Amaechi’s supporters at the time argued that the result did not reflect his popularity within the party hierarchy.
Why does Amaechi blame Buhari?
Amaechi explained that Buhari’s counsel discouraged him from engaging in the grassroots mobilisation that is crucial in party primaries. By adhering to the former president’s directive, Amaechi believes he missed the opportunity to rally delegates and secure the nomination.
What does this reveal about internal party dynamics?
The revelation highlights the lingering influence of Buhari’s legacy on APC decision‑making, even after his death. It also underscores the strategic calculations candidates make when balancing loyalty to senior party figures against the practical demands of electoral contests.
The story was first reported by DAILY POST, which noted that Tinubu’s primary win paved the way for his eventual election as Nigeria’s president in 2023. Amaechi’s comments add a new perspective to the narrative of that pivotal primary, suggesting that internal counsel, rather than sheer political strength, shaped the outcome.