Amaechi Takes Credit for Buhari’s 2015 Victory, Plays Down Tinubu’s Role

Former Rivers State Governor and ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has asserted that he played the pivotal role in securing the 2015 presidential victory for the late Muhammadu Buhari, dismissing claims made by President Bola Tinubu.

Amaechi, now a presidential aspirant under the African Democratic Congress, addressed longstanding assertions by Tinubu that Buhari would not have become president without his efforts.

According to Amaechi, he could not publicly challenge Tinubu’s claims at the time because he was serving as a minister under Buhari and feared being dismissed from his position.

He stated that as Director-General of Buhari’s 2015 and 2019 presidential campaigns, he led the Governors’ Forum and travelled extensively across the country to convince Nigerians that it was time for change. He insisted that he, more than anyone else, fought the battles that led to Buhari’s emergence.

However, Tinubu was also instrumental in forming the All Progressives Congress, having led the merger of major opposition parties including his Action Congress of Nigeria to challenge the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party.

Amaechi’s remarks come as he positions himself for the 2027 presidential race as part of a growing opposition coalition under the ADC. He has recently been vocal in criticising the Tinubu administration over economic hardship.