Oshiomhole challenges Amaechi’s role in Buhari’s 2015 victory

By Musa Baba Adamu

A fresh war of words has erupted among key figures in Nigeria’s political landscape after Senator Adams Oshiomhole disputed claims by former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, regarding his contribution to the election of former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2015.
Oshiomhole, who represents Edo North Senatorial District in the Senate, dismissed Amaechi’s assertion that he was instrumental in Buhari’s emergence as president, arguing that the former Rivers State governor played a far less decisive role than he claimed.
Speaking during an appearance on The Mic On Podcast, monitored in Abuja, the former Edo State governor alleged that Amaechi was unable to effectively deliver support for Buhari in Rivers State during the 2015 election due to the political strength of his then-rival, Nyesom Wike.
According to Oshiomhole, Amaechi, despite serving as Director-General of Buhari’s presidential campaign, was overwhelmed by political developments in Rivers State and was unable to cast his vote in support of the eventual president.
He further claimed that Amaechi encouraged his supporters in the state to boycott the election, a decision he described as politically unwise and detrimental to Buhari’s electoral fortunes in the state.
The remarks were made in response to Amaechi’s recent interview on Arise Television, where the former minister argued that he, rather than President Bola Tinubu, deserved credit for Buhari’s victory in the 2015 presidential election.
The exchange highlights continuing disagreements among prominent political actors over the events that shaped the historic 2015 election, which marked the first time an opposition candidate defeated an incumbent president at the national level.
As preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum, the debate has also underscored widening divisions among influential politicians who once worked together within the coalition that brought Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power.
The disagreement is the latest indication that narratives surrounding the formation, successes, and legacy of the APC remain a subject of intense contest among former allies seeking to redefine their political relevance ahead of future elections.The latest resolutions underscore the party leadership’s effort to assert institutional authority amid increasing influence from major political tendencies within the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.