A former aide to late President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has explained why the former Nigerian leader did not publicly endorse Rotimi Amaechi during the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket in 2022.
Ahmad said Buhari believed political parties should allow their internal democratic processes to determine their candidates without undue interference from party leaders.
He made the comments in reaction to Amaechi’s recent claim that Buhari had privately promised to support his presidential ambition ahead of the APC primary.
Amaechi, a former Rivers State governor and Minister of Transportation, recently alleged that Buhari advised him not to campaign or negotiate political alliances because the former president would announce him as his preferred candidate.
He also claimed that Buhari put the alleged promise in writing, although he said he would make the document public when he publishes his book.
Reacting to the revelation, Ahmad described the claim as surprising, saying it contradicted his understanding of Buhari’s political principles and approach to party affairs.
According to the former presidential aide, Buhari generally preferred to remain neutral during presidential primaries rather than openly impose his choice on party members.
Ahmad Questions Amaechi’s Account of Buhari’s Promise
In a statement shared on his social media pages, Ahmad said people familiar with Buhari’s political character would find Amaechi’s account difficult to reconcile with the former president’s known approach to party contests.
He expressed hope that individuals with direct knowledge of the alleged agreement would provide further clarification.
Ahmad also said such explanations would help address questions surrounding the claim and protect the reputation of his former principal.
He maintained that Buhari was a leader who stood by his word and would not deliberately break a promise.
The former aide also recalled Buhari’s famous statement about his approach to political leadership and party affairs.
“He was indeed for everybody and he was for nobody,” Ahmad said.
Amaechi’s 2022 APC Presidential Ambition
Amaechi contested the APC presidential ticket during the party’s primary in June 2022.
He finished second behind Bola Tinubu, who secured the party’s nomination with 1,271 votes. Amaechi received 316 votes, while former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo came third with 235 votes.
Amaechi recently argued that trusting Buhari’s alleged assurance influenced his decision not to pursue certain political alliances before the primary.
His account has since generated reactions from former associates of the late president, including Ahmad, who has offered a different perspective on Buhari’s approach to the contest.
The disagreement has brought renewed attention to the events surrounding the APC’s 2022 presidential primary and the extent of Buhari’s alleged involvement in the process.