Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Media entrepreneur, politician, and publisher Dele Momodu has alleged that former President Muhammadu Buhari was initially opposed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's presidential ambition before the 2023 general election, claiming that the disagreement within the former administration contributed to the political difficulties later faced by former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele.
Momodu made the remarks during an interview on Nevon HQ, where he discussed political events leading up to the 2023 presidential election. According to him, there were divisions among key figures in the Buhari administration regarding who should emerge as the presidential candidate of the ruling party. He claimed that Buhari, alongside some influential members of his government, was not initially in support of Tinubu's presidential bid.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain further alleged that Emefiele and the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, belonged to the same political camp that opposed Tinubu's emergence. "In the last election, my information is that Buhari did not initially want Tinubu at all. That's what led Emefiele into the crisis he found himself in because he, Buhari and the Attorney General (Malami), who is also having a crisis now, were in the same clique that didn't want Tinubu," Momodu said.
While reflecting on the events, Momodu argued that these internal political alignments eventually contributed to the challenges Emefiele encountered. He noted that despite the alleged opposition, Tinubu eventually secured victory in the election and assumed office as Nigeria's president, describing Tinubu's emergence as "destiny". However, he added his personal opinion that the president has not made the best use of the opportunity. "Somehow Tinubu is a child of destiny, I believe, whether positive or negative, I don't know, because he has mismanaged that opportunity given to him by God," Momodu said.
Speaking further during the interview, Momodu also lamented the current state of the nation, stating that insecurity and hardship have never been this bad in Nigeria's history. He called on the government to take decisive steps to address the nation's economic and security challenges.
The allegations come amid ongoing legal troubles for Emefiele, who is standing trial on a 20-count amended charge bordering on criminal breach of trust, procurement fraud, and conspiring to move $6.23 million from the CBN, purportedly meant for international election observers during the 2023 general elections. A special investigator appointed by President Tinubu has also demanded the prosecution of Buhari and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, in connection with the alleged fraud.
Momodu presented the remarks as information available to him and his personal interpretation of the political developments surrounding the 2023 election. During the interview, he did not provide documentary evidence or any independent material to substantiate the allegations.
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