Why Osinbajo Ran Against Tinubu in 2023 — Bisi Akande Explains

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A prominent founding member of the All Progressives Congress, Bisi Akande, has shed light on the circumstances that led Yemi Osinbajo to contest the party’s presidential ticket in 2023 alongside his long-time political associate Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Akande dismissed claims suggesting that the decision by Osinbajo to enter the race was encouraged by Muhammadu Buhari. According to him, such speculation does not reflect what actually happened within the party ahead of the primaries.

Longstanding Political Relationship

For years, Osinbajo had been widely regarded as a close ally of Tinubu. The relationship dates back to the period when Tinubu governed Lagos State, during which Osinbajo served as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General.

Political observers have often noted that Tinubu’s influence was also instrumental in Osinbajo’s emergence as Buhari’s running mate during the 2015 presidential election that brought the APC to power.

A Controversial Decision

Despite this history, Osinbajo chose to participate in the party’s presidential primary held in 2022. His decision sparked intense debate within political circles because many expected him to step aside in support of Tinubu’s ambition.

When the voting concluded, Tinubu emerged as the party’s candidate, while Osinbajo finished third in the contest.

Akande’s Explanation

Speaking during an interview on the podcast State Affairs, hosted by Edmund Obilo, Akande explained that Osinbajo’s participation in the race was ultimately a matter of personal choice and constitutional right.

According to him, no aspirant should be prevented from seeking the party’s nomination as long as the contest remains respectful and issue-based.

Attempts to Reach a Consensus

Akande revealed that discussions were held among party stakeholders in an effort to produce a consensus candidate before the primary election.

Several aspirants eventually stepped down during the process, even at the last moment, in order to streamline the contest. However, Osinbajo decided to remain in the race until the final vote.

Respecting the Decision

The former Osun State governor stated that Osinbajo’s refusal to withdraw was respected by party leaders.

He explained that once the decision had been made, there was no further attempt to pressure him to step down or revisit the issue with Tinubu.

Buhari’s Position

Addressing another widely discussed claim, Akande rejected the notion that former President Buhari secretly supported Osinbajo’s candidacy against Tinubu.

He said that Buhari never suggested such a strategy during their conversations about the political developments at the time.

Buhari’s Reaction

According to Akande, Buhari was actually surprised when Osinbajo joined the presidential race, largely because of the mentor-protégé relationship between him and Tinubu.

However, rather than interfere, Buhari reportedly chose to respect Osinbajo’s decision and wished him well in the contest.

Commentary and Analysis

Akande’s explanation offers insight into the internal dynamics of the APC during the buildup to the 2023 presidential primary. Political contests within parties often involve complex negotiations, alliances, and expectations, especially when long-standing relationships are involved.

Osinbajo’s decision to run against Tinubu highlighted the tension between political loyalty and individual ambition. While some viewed the move as controversial given their history, others argued that open competition is a fundamental element of democratic politics.

The episode also reflects the broader nature of party primaries in Nigeria, where attempts at consensus candidates frequently coexist with competitive elections.

Ultimately, Tinubu’s emergence as the APC’s candidate—and later as Nigeria’s president—closed that chapter of intra-party rivalry. However, the events leading to the primary remain an important example of how political relationships evolve within major political parties.