Rita Odafe
A statement made by Sule Lamido, former Governor of Jigawa State, suggests that former President Muhammadu Buhari had reservations about President Bola Tinubu succeeding him in office.
Lamido also indicated that Buhari did not have confidence in his former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as his successor, and instead favored ex-Senate President Ahmed Lawan.
According to Lamido, Tinubu’s rise to power was not owed to anyone as he was a bold and self-made individual.
In an interview with Tribune, Lamido stated: “Before the convention, Tinubu boldly proclaimed in Abeokuta, Ogun State, that it was his turn to lead Nigeria and Buhari, seemingly oblivious, was observing. He never held Tinubu in high regard. He had someone else in mind.
“He did not even have faith in his own vice president, Professor Osinbajo; he preferred Ahmed Lawan. However, his plans were flawed. Having governed for eight years in the North, wanting another Northerner for another eight years was unreasonable. Perhaps later, but there are certain unchangeable dynamics in today’s Nigeria.
“The incumbent president of Nigeria, after two terms, lacked the resolve to support his preferred candidate. He watched as Tinubu, whom he never supported, emerged victorious. Tinubu realizes that his triumph did not come from Buhari, thus, he owes him nothing.”
Prior to the 2015 presidential elections, speculations arose that Buhari opposed Tinubu’s candidacy for the All Progressives Congress, APC.
Allegedly, some key personnel in Buhari’s administration initiated actions such as the naira redesign and causing artificial fuel shortages to deter Nigerians from endorsing Tinubu.
Expressing discontent over these actions, Tinubu declared “Emi Lokan” during one of his campaign rallies, which translates to “It’s my turn.”
