Tinubu’s Strategic Role in Buhari’s 2015 Presidential Victory Highlighted
Former Voice of Nigeria Director-General Osita Okechukwu credits President Bola Tinubu with delivering crucial votes that secured Muhammadu Buhari’s 2015 presidential election victory. Okechukwu made this statement Thursday in response to recent political remarks, according to Naija News reports.
The former media executive described Tinubu’s contribution as “premium golden block votes” that proved decisive in Buhari’s successful campaign against incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan. This assessment underscores Tinubu’s significant political influence in Nigeria’s southwestern region during the historic 2015 election cycle.
Okechukwu’s comments highlight the strategic alliance between Tinubu and Buhari that reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape. The 2015 election marked the first time an opposition candidate defeated a sitting president in Nigeria’s democratic history, with Buhari winning approximately 15.4 million votes compared to Jonathan’s 12.8 million.
The statement comes amid ongoing political discussions about key figures who influenced Nigeria’s recent electoral outcomes. Tinubu, who served as Lagos State Governor from 1999 to 2007, leveraged his extensive political network and influence in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to mobilize voters across southwestern Nigeria.
This revelation adds context to understanding the political dynamics that enabled Buhari’s presidency and subsequently contributed to Tinubu’s own successful 2023 presidential campaign. The relationship between these two political heavyweights continues to shape Nigeria’s current political narrative.