A founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has dismissed claims that former President Muhammadu Buhari encouraged ex–Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to contest the 2023 presidential election against Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Osinbajo has long been regarded as a political ally and protégé of Tinubu, having served as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General during Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State. There have also been widespread beliefs that Tinubu played a key role in Osinbajo’s selection as Buhari’s running mate in 2015.
Despite this relationship, Osinbajo entered the APC presidential primary in 2022 and declined to withdraw from the race, a move that generated significant political debate. Tinubu eventually emerged as the party’s candidate, while Osinbajo finished a distant third.
Speaking during an interview on Edmund Obilo’s podcast, State Affairs, Akande explained that Osinbajo’s decision to remain in the contest was based purely on his constitutional right to do so.
“I wanted everyone to be free to contest,” Akande said. “My only concern was that the contest should be issue-based, without bitterness or personal attacks, because I wanted one of them to eventually emerge. My ultimate goal was to see a Yoruba president.”
He revealed that efforts were made to persuade aspirants to voluntarily step down in order to produce a consensus candidate.
“After several discussions, I asked that we should have just one candidate and that anyone willing should step down voluntarily,” he said. “Even on the night of the primary, some aspirants still stepped down. It was not too late.”
According to Akande, Osinbajo chose not to withdraw, and the decision was respected.
“Osinbajo did not step down, and I did not revisit the matter with Tinubu afterward,” he stated. “He had every right to contest, and I do not fault anyone for exercising that right.”
Akande also rejected suggestions that former President Buhari opposed Tinubu’s ambition or secretly backed Osinbajo.
“He never told me anything like that,” Akande said. “I asked him several questions, and he made it clear that he did not instigate Osinbajo’s candidacy.”
He added that Buhari was reportedly surprised by Osinbajo’s decision but chose to respect it.
“In his culture, Buhari believes that when your mentor is interested in a position, you do not compete with him,” Akande explained. “So when Osinbajo joined the race, he was surprised but simply wished him well.”
© 2025 Gossip News Now, a division of CHIEJOS HARBIAN DIGITAL MEDIA LTD.
Contact us via admin@gossipnewsnow.online
