Akande says Buhari not pleased Osinbajo contested 2023 Presidency against Tinubu

Bisi Akande, the former governor of Osun State, has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari was uneasy about having his Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, compete directly with President Bola Tinubu for the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential ticket during the 2022 primaries.
The APC’s first national chairman shared this insight on a podcast hosted by well-known broadcaster, Edmund Obilo. Akande recalled that despite efforts to prevent division among Yoruba contenders, the former Vice President refused to step down for Tinubu.
When asked if Buhari had opposed Tinubu’s candidacy, Akande simply shook his head.
“He didn’t tell me so,” he said. “I asked him many questions, including whether he instigated Osinbajo to contest against Tinubu. He said no and explained that, in his culture, when your mentor is interested in a position, you don’t contest with him.”
In the lead-up to the 2023 general elections, Bola Tinubu secured 1,271 votes to win the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket. At the Special National Convention in Abuja, he triumphed over 13 other aspirants, including Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.
His opponents in the race included prominent figures such as Rotimi Amaechi, former Governor David Umuahi, Senator Ahmad Yarima, Dr. Ahmed Lawal, former Governor Yahaya Bello, and the late Ogbonnaya Onu. Other contenders were Chukwuemeka Nwajuba, Pastor Tunde Bakare, Chief Ikeobasi Mokelu, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Tein Jack-Rich, and former Governor Ben Ayade.
Although the race began with 23 aspirants, nine withdrew before the voting commenced at the convention. Those who stepped down included Mrs. Uju Kennedy-Ohnenye, Dr. Felix Nicholas, former Governor Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom, former Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun, former Speaker Dimeji Bankole, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, Governor Muhammad Badaru of Jigawa, Senator Ken Nnamani, and Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State.
Akande concluded by acknowledging Tinubu’s growth as a skilled political strategist. He also discussed the relationship between Tinubu and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, revealing that he played a crucial role in Osinbajo’s selection as vice president.
He said, “In 2011, Tinubu was discussing with Buhari about replacing Bakare with someone. I told Tinubu, ‘I’m going to recommend Osinbajo, and I did.”