Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, stated that President Bola Tinubu secured his victory in the 2023 presidential election primarily through his own efforts, without substantial support from former President Muhammadu Buhari.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Hassan discussed the strained relationship between Tinubu and Buhari, which became particularly evident in the latter months of Buhari’s administration. He emphasized that Buhari did not actively endorse Tinubu’s candidacy, expressing skepticism about whether the former president provided the necessary backing for his successor’s campaign.
Hassan remarked, “Did he enjoy that in 2023? Did we enjoy Buhari’s support in 2023? Let the truth be told, we did not.” He affirmed that Tinubu’s win was achieved against significant odds, reiterating that Buhari did not campaign for him despite both being members of the same political party.
As the APC prepares for the upcoming presidential election in 2027, Hassan’s comments raise questions regarding the implications of Tinubu’s past relationship with Buhari and the potential impact on his re-election bid.
