Former Governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido, has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari never wanted President Bola Tinubu to succeed him as the President of Nigeria.
In a recent interview, Lamido disclosed that Buhari’s preference was for Ahmed Lawan, the former Senate President, rather than Tinubu or his own Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo.
Lamido emphasized that Buhari’s distrust of Osinbajo and his preference for Lawan were evident. “He didn’t even trust his own vice president, Professor (Yemi) Osinbajo; he wanted Ahmed Lawan, but his calculation was absurd. You have done eight years for the North and you wanted another Northerner for another eight years?! No. Maybe later but there are some dynamics which you can’t alter, not in Nigeria of today,” Lamido stated.
According to Lamido, Buhari’s lack of support for Tinubu was clear even before the convention. “Prior to the convention, he (Tinubu) was in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he boasted that it was his turn to rule Nigeria. And Buhari, very naive, was watching. He never liked Tinubu. There was somebody he wanted,” Lamido explained.
Despite Buhari’s opposition, Tinubu managed to secure the presidency through his own efforts. “The president of Nigeria, after being in office for eight years, lacked the courage to push through his anointed choice. He was there at the convention and Tinubu that he never liked, he never believed in emerged. Tinubu knows that his victory wasn’t from Buhari, therefore, he owes him nothing,” Lamido noted.
Lamido also highlighted that Tinubu’s emergence was against significant odds, including perceived attempts by Buhari’s administration to hinder his campaign. “Tinubu knows Buhari worked against him in 2023, owes him nothing,” he said, referencing the artificial fuel scarcity and naira redesign that some believed were tactics to undermine Tinubu’s campaign.
In summary, Lamido’s remarks underscore the complex political dynamics that led to Tinubu’s presidency, emphasizing that his success was largely due to his own determination and strategic maneuvering rather than any support from Buhari.
