Tinubu Credits Coalition with Unseating Jonathan

President Bola Tinubu on Monday publicly recounted the pivotal role his political alliance with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari played in achieving a historic shift in Nigeria’s political landscape, specifically leading to the defeat of then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2015 general election. Tinubu made the disclosure during the launch of Buhari’s official biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Reflecting on their joint political journey, the President framed their partnership as a monumental effort that unified diverse interests across the nation. “Together, we built a broad coalition, campaigned across the country, and proved that Nigeria could chart a new course,” Tinubu stated. He emphasized the profound impact of that movement, which saw the All Progressives Congress (APC) secure an unprecedented victory. “Our movement united diverse interests and achieved a historic victory in 2015 by unseating an incumbent president, thus reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape,” he confirmed, highlighting the defeat of Jonathan—the first time in Nigeria’s democratic history that an opposition party successfully removed a sitting president.

Tinubu also noted that the political alliance forged in 2014 has proven to be robust and enduring, claiming that the APC is now “the fastest-growing political party in Africa today.” He asserted that the growth of the party and the continuity of the reform agenda are evidence of the legacy they established together.

Paying tribute to his predecessor, Tinubu emphasized that Buhari’s enduring impact transcends political maneuvering. He credited the former leader with leaving behind a reputation defined by unimpeachable moral standards, a spartan lifestyle, and an unwavering belief that public office must be treated as a sacred trust rather than a personal windfall. “President Muhammadu Buhari left behind a reputation for integrity, a spartan lifestyle, and the belief that public office is a trust and not a windfall,” Tinubu said.

The President outlined what he considered the foundational pillars of Buhari’s legacy: humility, security, vision, and social justice. On humility, Tinubu noted Buhari’s preference for simplicity over ostentation, adding that the former president “believed that a leader must first discipline himself before he can discipline a system.” Regarding security, he acknowledged Buhari’s significant investment in military platforms and personnel, which led to “improved capacities across our armed services, and pushed for reforms that endured beyond the headlines.” Finally, the legacy of social justice was evidenced by Buhari’s belief in “targeted social investments to ensure that the state did not ignore the poor and vulnerable.”

The occasion served not only to honor the deceased leader but also for Tinubu to affirm his own vital contribution to the political transformation that brought the current ruling party to power, positioning himself as the architect of the coalition that delivered the historic 2015 victory.