The Presidency has highlighted Bola Tinubu’s pivotal role in Muhammadu Buhari’s rise to power in 2015, pointing to a key political shift that changed the course of Nigeria’s leadership.
Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, shared this perspective on Thursday via his verified 𝕏 account. In his post, he credited Tinubu with rallying crucial support in the South-West—support that ultimately helped secure Buhari’s victory over then-incumbent Goodluck Jonathan.
Onanuga explained that while Buhari had always enjoyed massive support from the North, what he lacked was reach beyond that stronghold. Tinubu, he noted, delivered that missing piece—building momentum in the South-West and helping Buhari edge out strong contenders like Atiku Abubakar and Rabiu Kwankwaso to clinch the APC ticket.
“Tinubu gave Buhari something he didn’t have before—wider appeal and the numbers from the South-West,” Onanuga wrote.
He added that Jonathan, aware of the South-West’s power to swing the vote, had poured efforts into winning the region, but it wasn’t enough. Backed by Tinubu’s influence, Buhari took the lead and secured the win.
