In a revealing address at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, President Bola Tinubu offered a rare, first-hand account of the high-stakes political engineering that culminated in Nigeria’s historic 2015 presidential election. Speaking at the launch of the official biography, “From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari,” Tinubu detailed the construction of a coalition powerful enough to unseat an incumbent president—a feat unprecedented in the nation’s democratic history.
The alliance between Tinubu, a political strategist from the southwest, and Buhari, a northern military figure turned politician, was more than a simple merger. It represented a masterclass in coalition-building, uniting disparate regional, ideological, and ethnic interests under the banner of the newly formed All Progressives Congress (APC). Tinubu underscored that this was not merely an electoral pact but a deliberate effort to “prove that Nigeria could chart a new course.” The 2015 victory over President Goodluck Jonathan, who sought a second term, was a watershed moment, demonstrating the potential for opposition unity to overcome the powerful incumbency advantage.
Tinubu’s recounting went beyond the electoral triumph to frame Buhari’s core legacy. He identified four key pillars: humility, security, vision, and social justice.
- Humility & Integrity: Tinubu painted Buhari as a leader whose “spartan lifestyle” and belief that “public office is a trust and not a windfall” set a moral tone. This reputation for probity was a foundational element of their campaign’s appeal, contrasting sharply with public perceptions of the preceding administration.
- Security: Acknowledging the persistent challenges, Tinubu highlighted Buhari’s strategic investments in “platforms and personnel,” arguing that his predecessor pushed for enduring security reforms that extended “beyond the headlines.” This points to institutional capacity-building within the armed forces, a legacy often debated but central to Buhari’s tenure.
- Vision & Social Justice: The coalition itself was presented as the embodiment of a broader vision for national unity and equitable development. The APC’s growth into what Tinubu called “the fastest-growing political party in Africa today” is framed as the ongoing institutionalization of that vision.
The speech served a dual purpose: it was both a eulogy for an ally and a strategic narrative about the APC’s origins. By recounting this foundational story, Tinubu reinforces the party’s legitimacy and underscores the continuity of its mission. The implication is clear—the political machinery that reshaped Nigeria’s landscape in 2015 remains a dynamic and growing force, with its architects now stewarding its next chapter.
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