Charles Omole Details The Reason Why Buhari Didn’t Support Yemi Osinbajo's Presidential Ambition

A new biography of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari has disclosed that he withheld support for Vice President Yemi Osinbajo’s 2023 presidential bid because Bola Tinubu was also in the race for the party’s ticket

The disclosure is contained in From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammad Buhari, authored by Dr Charles Omole.

The book, launched on Monday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, chronicles Buhari’s life, from his military career to his political journey and final days.

According to Omole, Buhari found it surprising that Osinbajo would contest against Tinubu in the manner he did.

Omole quoted Buhari as saying, “I don’t know Osinbajo from anywhere, I met him only through Tinubu.”

The author wrote that Tinubu’s selection as a presidential candidate was widely perceived as a reward for his role as a political godfather and financier of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The book also documents an internal rift within the ruling party, describing an “anti‑Tinubu consensus” among some powerful figures, described as a cabal.

Ironically, Omole wrote, “Buhari’s strict enforcement of the rules may have indirectly aided Tinubu, as Buhari’s fastidiousness repeatedly thwarted the cabal’s plans to impose another candidate.”

Omole further revealed that Buhari was not impressed that Osinbajo did not seek his advice before declaring his ambition.

“Sources also said that Buhari was not impressed that Osinbajo did not ‘consult’ him or seek his advice. Instead, Osinbajo simply ‘informed’ him.

“The president was quoted as having wondered how his Vice President could go against his benefactor in such an open way,” the book said.

The book also spotlighted the enthusiastic support of Aisha Buhari for Tinubu ahead of the 2023 election, a stance that reportedly drew the ire of the powerful cabal. However, she remained undeterred.

“Aisha Buhari’s enthusiastic support for Tinubu’s candidacy challenged the powerful cabal. However, she remained unconcerned,” Omole wrote.

Noting her zeal, Tinubu reportedly visited Aisha and sought her assistance in organising the women’s campaign with his wife, Sen. Remi Tinubu. She agreed, thereby establishing the APC Women’s Campaign Council.

On the broader contest within the APC, Omole reiterated that despite the anti‑Tinubu sentiment among some elites, Buhari’s insistence on a free and fair process worked in Tinubu’s favour.

The author wrote, “There was an anti‑Tinubu consensus among the cabal.

“Ironically, Buhari’s strict enforcement of the rules may have indirectly aided Tinubu, as Buhari’s fastidiousness repeatedly thwarted the cabal’s plans to impose another candidate.

“The cabal aimed to impose a candidate at the APC primary, a plan that was halted by Buhari himself when he opposed it upon being informed of such a plan.”