Amaechi: Buhari Promised Me APC Presidential Ticket in 2022.
Amaechi said Buhari had assured him in writing that he would announce him as his preferred candidate, prompting him to refrain from lobbying delegates and negotiating political alliances ahead of the primary.
He disclosed this during an interview on Mainland 98.3FM’s The Situation Room programme in Lagos on Friday, while reflecting on how President Bola Tinubu defeated him to clinch the APC presidential ticket in 2022.
According to Amaechi, he considered Buhari’s position credible because the former president was his boss and believed his endorsement would give him an advantage over other aspirants.
He said, “The first mistake that I made at that primary was that I listened to President Buhari. He said to me, ‘don’t campaign, don’t do anything, I will announce you as my candidate.’ “He told me that. When I write my book, I’ll put it out.” The former Minister of Transportation said his decision not to negotiate political positions with governors and other influential party members also worked against his ambition, and gave Tinubu an opportunity to build alliances ahead of the primary. Amaechi explained that he could have secured the support of governors by promising them political appointments, including the positions of vice-president and Secretary to the Government of the Federation.
MSEApp News is publishing an original rewrite of this tip for readers, based on reporting associated with THISDAY.