Former aide claims Buhari-era cabal blocked Tinubu's ministerial nominees and backed rival candidate

President Bola Tinubu’s attempts to appoint his preferred ministers were reportedly thwarted by a faction within the late President Muhammadu Buhari’s government, according to former presidential spokesperson Launched Akande. In interviews with Symfoni TV published on 24 October 2026, Akande said the group rejected Tinubu’s nominees Dele Alake – later appointed minister of solid minerals – and Wale Edun, a former finance minister. According to him, the refusals served as a clear indication that Tinubu possessed no genuine authority regarding personnel selections while Buhari was in power.

Akande, who previously served as a media aide to former Vice‑President Yemi Osinbajo and now hosts the political programme Inside Sources, also claimed the same cabal backed former Senate President Ahmad Lawan as the All Progressives Congress (APC) consensus presidential candidate ahead of the 2022 primary. The alleged support, he said, was intended to persuade Buhari to endorse Lawan, a move that sparked resistance from party members demanding a competitive primary.

Background

The tensions Akande describes date back to Buhari’s eight‑year presidency (2015‑2023). He alleges that influential figures within the administration formed a “cabal” that sought to shape the party’s succession in a way that excluded Tinubu, despite Tinubu’s role in building the APC into a winning party. Abdullahi Adamu, serving as the APC national chairman, designated Lawan as the party's selected nominee in June 2022, a move that was swiftly contested by party members demanding a formal primary process. The APC eventually conducted the primary election, during which Tinubu secured the party nomination by overcoming Lawan, Osinbajo, former Transport Minister Rotimi Amaechi, and other contenders.

Akande stated that he observed Tinubu being marginalized in gatherings during the Buhari administration, adding that the former Lagos governor opted for forbearance rather than conflict while awaiting his opportunity. He also linked the cabal’s actions to the Central Bank of Nigeria’s naira redesign policy introduced shortly before the 2023 general election, which he said added further difficulties to Tinubu’s campaign.

Why it matters

If the allegations are accurate, the alleged interference illustrates deep factionalism within the APC and suggests that internal power struggles may have shaped the party’s leadership transition. The rejection of Alake and Edun, both prominent figures, signals that the cabal sought to limit Tinubu’s influence over the composition of the future government. Such dynamics could affect policy continuity, ministerial effectiveness, and the balance of power between the presidency and party structures.

The claims also highlight the broader impact on Tinubu’s political trajectory. By marginalising him during Buhari’s administration, the cabal may have forced Tinubu to rely on broader party mechanisms rather than direct patronage, potentially influencing his governance style as president. Moreover, the reported backing of Lawan underscores competing visions for the APC’s direction, which could reverberate in future intra‑party contests.

What happens next

Akande’s statements were made public through Symfoni TV on 24 October 2026, but no official response from the Buhari administration, the alleged cabal members, or the current Tinubu government has been recorded in the sources. The APC has not announced any formal investigation into the alleged interference, and no further legal or parliamentary actions have been reported. As the claims gain media attention, they may prompt internal party inquiries or political commentary, but the sources provide no concrete next steps or scheduled hearings.