Buhari couldn’t have become President without Tinubu – Presidency
President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, assured that his administration will consolidate and strengthen the reforms initiated by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Tinubu gave the assurance at the book launch titled, “According to the President: Lessons from a Presidential Spokesman’s Experience”, authored by Garba Shehu, a former Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari.
The book launch, however, became an avenue to rekindle the battle of supremacy amongst the various political elements that made the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is as the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) group, represented by Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), attributed the party’s success in 2015 to former President Buhari’s 12 million followers in the North and his personal qualities.
But Tinubu, who was represented by George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), acknowledged the immense effort of his predecessor in nation building and assured to build on the reforms he carried out. In his words:
“The efforts of one administration laid the foundation for the next. In this regard, I acknowledge the efforts of my predecessor, President [Buhari], and assure all Nigerians that the reform-oriented path it initiated will be considered consolidated and strengthened under this administration. Our renewed hope agenda is inspired by the desire to build a resilient, just, and inclusive Nigeria, a nation that delivers dividends of democracy to all its citizens.”
The President eulogised the former President Buhari, whom he described as “a man whose leadership stood on the pillars of integrity, accountability, prudence and patriotism.” He also added that under his stewardship, Nigeria witnessed remarkable success in the fight against insecurity and unprecedented boost in infrastructural development.
Yakubu Gowon, Chairman of the occasion and former Head of State, commended former President Muhammadu Buhari for his impeccable integrity and commitment in surmounting myriads of challenges, including insecurity, which he inherited with dedication and patriotism.
He also used the occasion to thank the Nigerian Army for their sacrifice in combating insurgency and defending the territorial integrity of the country.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo narrated the vicissitudes of the author, chronicling his journey in journalism to the Spokesperson to President Buhari and his tact and professionalism in navigating difficult terrains in the course of discharging his duty.
Boss Mustapha, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, revealed that the ascendancy of the author from a campaign spokesperson to the post as the Senior Assistant on Media and Publicity and the Spokesperson of President Muhammadu Buhari was based on merit, considering his track record in the media world.
He stated that the book, which is structured into three parts, viz: the introduction; the legacy of a revolutionary and exemplary leadership; and President Buhari’s legacy from 2015-2023, exemplifies the eventful life of former President Buhari, which is marked by integrity, discipline and national commitment to nation building.
The book launch was used by some pro-Buhari elements in the All Progressives Congress (APC) to rekindle their plans to pull out from the party.
Babachir Lawal, an ally of former President Buhari, recalled that the party’s success in 2015 was largely because of his personal integrity, discipline and commitment to nation building.
Lawal, also a former SGF, in his remarks, attributed former President Buhari’s success to his messianic political followership in the North, in recognition of his frugal lifestyle.
Lawal noted that the former leader of the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC)’s over 12 million followers in the North has remained intact.
The Presidency, in a response, however, noted that the success of the former President cannot be completely isolated from the support and the backing he enjoyed from President Tinubu in 2014.
Tope Ajayi, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media, writing on his X handle (formerly Twitter), noted that “Tinubu played crucial roles that led to Buhari’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential candidate in 2014, at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos.”
The Presidency recalled how the former President had given up on his ambition of becoming Nigeria’s President, after failing elections on three different occasions, in 2003, 2007 and 2011, until 2015, when President Tinubu and other notable politicians gave him their support.
