Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has disputed President Bola Tinubu’s claim that he was the key figure behind the emergence of the late Muhammadu Buhari as President in 2015.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV, Amaechi said Buhari’s electoral victory was achieved through collective efforts by several political actors who formed the All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress), insisting that no single individual could take full credit for the outcome.
President Tinubu has repeatedly maintained that his political support and persuasion were crucial in bringing Buhari into the 2015 race after previous unsuccessful attempts, as well as in building the coalition that eventually delivered victory.
However, Amaechi who served as Director-General of Buhari’s presidential campaign said the narrative overlooks the broader role played by multiple stakeholders across the country.
He stated that he refrained from publicly challenging the account while serving in government to avoid political tension, but maintained that his contributions were significant during the campaign period.
According to him, as Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, he played a key role in mobilising state governors and coordinating nationwide campaign activities. He also said he travelled extensively across the country during the electioneering period to build support for Buhari.
Amaechi further insisted that the 2015 “change” campaign was a collective political movement that led to the defeat of the then ruling party, but added that governance outcomes under the subsequent administration were mixed, with both achievements and shortcomings.
The remarks highlight renewed political debate over the origins and leadership dynamics of the 2015 opposition coalition that brought Buhari to power.
