APC chieftain and founding member of the party, Bisi Akande, has dismissed claims that late former President Muhammadu Buhari encouraged ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo to contest the 2023 presidential election against President Bola Tinubu.
Osinbajo is widely regarded as a long-time political protégé of Tinubu, having served as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General during Tinubu’s tenure as governor of Lagos State. Tinubu is also believed to have played a key role in Osinbajo’s emergence as vice president under Buhari.
Speculation heightened after Osinbajo joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022 and declined to step down for Tinubu. While Tinubu eventually emerged as the party’s flagbearer, Osinbajo finished a distant third.
Speaking during an interview on Edmund Obilo’s State Affairs podcast, Akande explained that Osinbajo was fully within his rights to contest the primary election. He said his goal was to allow all aspirants to participate freely while discouraging bitterness and personal attacks.
According to Akande, several aspirants voluntarily withdrew on the eve of the primary, but Osinbajo chose to remain in the race — a decision he said he did not fault.
Akande also rejected suggestions that Buhari was opposed to Tinubu or secretly backed Osinbajo. He revealed that Buhari personally clarified the issue to him, stressing that he did not instigate Osinbajo’s ambition.
The APC elder added that Buhari was surprised by Osinbajo’s decision, noting that in his cultural values, it is uncommon for a protégé to contest against a mentor seeking the same office. However, he said the former president simply wished Osinbajo well.