A former presidential aide has provided a significant clarification regarding the political dynamics within the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2022 presidential primary. Babafemi Ojudu, who served in the Office of the Vice President from 2016 to 2022, has firmly rejected narratives suggesting that then-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo lacked the backing of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Private Assurances and Public Backing
In a detailed statement issued on December 19, 2025, Ojudu addressed claims made in a recent book, asserting that he was a direct witness to multiple conversations between the two leaders. He stated that the question of Osinbajo's presidential ambition was discussed personally between the Vice President and President Buhari on at least four separate occasions.
"On each of these occasions, President Buhari expressed clear, unequivocal support for the Vice President's ambition," Ojudu revealed. He emphasized that at no point did Buhari advise Osinbajo to withdraw or defer his ambition in favor of any other aspirant, including Bola Tinubu.
Support Extended to Federal Executive Council
Ojudu disclosed that Buhari's endorsement was not confined to private meetings. He recalled instances where the former president publicly acknowledged Osinbajo's nationwide consultations during sessions of the Federal Executive Council (FEC). According to Ojudu, Buhari even advised the Vice President to engage with state governors and leaders of the National Assembly before making a formal declaration.
"President Buhari reiterated more than once that he believed Vice President Osinbajo's candidature was best for continuity and stability," Ojudu said, adding that Buhari promised to do all he reasonably could to offer support.
Context of the APC Primary Contest
The 2022 APC primary was a pivotal moment, pitting Osinbajo, who ran as a continuity candidate leveraging his eight years of experience as vice president, against Bola Tinubu, the political architect of the Buhari-Osinbajo ticket in 2015. The contest highlighted deep divisions within the party, with Tinubu relying on a vast political structure and Osinbajo drawing on his technocratic profile.
Ultimately, at the primary held in Abuja in June 2022, Osinbajo finished in third place behind Tinubu and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi. Ojudu concluded his statement by criticizing historical accounts that he says are based on personal grievance rather than verifiable truth, insisting it was implausible that Osinbajo would have pursued the presidency without Buhari's consent.
