Amaechi Says Buhari Promised 2022 APC Ticket in Writing

Rotimi Amaechi said former President Muhammadu Buhari promised in writing to endorse him as the All Progressives Congress’ preferred presidential candidate in 2022, and told him not to campaign. Amaechi said he relied on that assurance instead of negotiating political support, a decision he believes contributed to his defeat in the party’s primary. Buhari’s alleged promise remains Amaechi’s account; he did not show the document during the interview.

Amaechi discussed the primary during an interview on Mainland 98.3 FM’s The Situation Room programme. He said Buhari told him not to campaign and that he would announce Amaechi as his candidate. Amaechi said he intends to publish the writing in a future book.

He described trusting Buhari as his first mistake in the contest. Amaechi said he did not make political deals with governors and other influential party figures, and that he could have offered appointments, including vice-president or secretary to the government of the federation, to secure their backing. He said he believed Buhari’s assurance would give him an advantage.

Bola Tinubu won the APC’s June 2022 presidential primary with 1,271 votes. Amaechi finished second with 316,...