“How the Coalition I Built with Buhari Unseated the Sitting President” — Tinubu

President Bola Tinubu has recounted how his political alliance with the late Muhammadu Buhari led to the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. Speaking at the launch of Buhari’s official biography, From Soldier to Statesman: The Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday, Tinubu described the coalition as a decisive factor in reshaping Nigeria’s political landscape.

Tinubu said that together with Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC), they campaigned across the country, uniting diverse interests to secure a historic victory by removing an incumbent president. He credited the success to careful planning and broad political outreach, which he said demonstrated that Nigeria could pursue a new course.

Reflecting on Buhari’s leadership, Tinubu praised his integrity, spartan lifestyle, and belief that public office is a trust rather than a privilege. He highlighted key pillars of Buhari’s legacy, including humility, security, vision, and social justice. “President Buhari preferred simplicity over ornamentation. He believed that a leader must first discipline himself before he can discipline a system,” Tinubu said.

On security, he noted Buhari’s investment in personnel and platforms, the strengthening of Nigeria’s armed services, and reforms intended to endure beyond immediate headlines. Tinubu also emphasized the lasting impact of their political alliance, noting that the coalition that began in 2014 helped the APC grow into Africa’s fastest-expanding political party.