Farouk Aliyu counters Boss Mustapha, says Tinubu was crucial to Buhari’s 2015 victory
A former ally of ex-President Muhammadu Buhari, Farouk Aliyu, has refuted claims made by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, that President Bola Tinubu played no decisive role in Buhari’s 2015 electoral success.
Speaking on Wednesday at a book launch in Abuja, Mustapha had downplayed Tinubu’s contributions, arguing that Buhari already had a consistent support base of 12 million votes and that the merger of legacy parties under the All Progressives Congress (APC) only brought an additional three million.
Aliyu, in a strong rebuttal, described Mustapha’s statement as historically inaccurate. “My senior brother, Boss Mustapha, certainly got it wrong because I can’t even remember where he was at that time,” Aliyu said, accusing some former Buhari officials of attempting to rewrite history.
He stressed that while Buhari’s loyal base was undeniable, it had not been sufficient to win the presidency until the alliance with Tinubu was forged. “Tinubu assisted, contributed, and helped Muhammadu Buhari to get the ticket and by extension win the election, because he followed us to campaign all over the country,” Aliyu explained.
Recalling his role as Buhari’s returning officer during the 2014 APC presidential primary in Lagos, Aliyu highlighted the strategic and behind-the-scenes support Tinubu provided to Buhari’s candidacy, saying many of today’s critics were not present during those political battles.
“There are many of these Buhari converts who were not with Buhari. Most of them happened by accident or fate to become what they became, and they are now trying to deconstruct history,” he added.
Aliyu also rejected the narrative that Buhari did not repay Tinubu’s loyalty in 2023. “If Muhammadu Buhari did not want APC to win the election, he would have done several things to ensure that they don’t win,” he argued, maintaining that Buhari remained supportive throughout the process.
Looking ahead to the 2027 elections, Aliyu assured that the former president would back Tinubu’s re-election bid and that there was no rift between both leaders. He also responded to the rising coalition of opposition parties, saying while their participation is constitutional, the APC remains ready to defend its political ground.
“We will put sand in their garri,” he said, using the popular Nigerian idiom to imply firm political resistance.
