Details have emerged explaining why the late former President Muhammadu Buhari declined to endorse his former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, as his successor.
According to Buhari’s biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, written by Dr Charles Omole, Buhari did not support Osinbajo’s 2022 presidential bid because he said he never truly knew him.
The book, launched at the Presidential Villa on Tuesday, quotes Buhari as saying he only met Osinbajo through Bola Tinubu and had no personal relationship with him beyond that connection.
Buhari was reportedly taken aback by Osinbajo’s decision to contest the All Progressives Congress presidential ticket against Tinubu, whom Buhari viewed as Osinbajo’s political benefactor.
Osinbajo is widely regarded as a Tinubu protégé, having served as Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State during Tinubu’s tenure as governor. Tinubu is also believed to have recommended Osinbajo to Buhari as his running mate ahead of the 2015 presidential election.
Buhari’s remarks suggest that his refusal to support Osinbajo’s ambition was rooted in personal distance and loyalty considerations rather than performance in office.
