The failed conspiracy by Osibanjo, Amaechi and Nasir El-rufai against Tinubu
After the 2023 APC primaries, Asiwaju visited Rotimi Amaechi at his residence and pleaded for his support. A move he believed would pacify the then minister of transportation whose prominence in the All Progressive Congress (APC) and presidency was pivotal to his emerging the first runner up in the APC’s 2023 presidential primary election.
But Amaechi considered Tinubu’s gesture as a mere formality and not born of genuine sought for reconciliation.
Because Amaechi in his mind was unhappy over the outcome of the party primaries, especially concerning Osinbajo. Both Amaechi and Osinbajo belonged to two different power blocs within the Aso Rock cabal and felt disappointed by how Asiwaju outsmarted them all. They were also dismayed that President Buhari left the contest open without endorsing any candidate. While there were reports that former president Muhammadu Buhari indirectly supported former senate president, Ahmed Lawal by trying to impose him on the party as their unopposed candidate, there were resistance from members of the party and top presidential ticket contenders including vice president Osibanjo, Amaechi and governors such as Nasir El-rufai who had thrown his weight behind Tinubu at the expense of Buhari’s Ahmed Lawal.
Amaechi had trusted that he would use Nasir El-Rufai as his running mate if he had emerged as the party’s flag bearer. However, his fallout with Hadiza Bala Usman complicated matters for him.
A second coalition of Aso Rock cabals soon emerged. They believed that Godwin Emefiele’s monetary policy could be used to stop Asiwaju. Amaechi aligned himself with this group, but El-Rufai pulled back, fully aware that both Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi were not viable alternatives for him.
Nyesom Wike saw a loophole in the strained relationship between Asiwaju and Amaechi and took advantage of it, bridging the gap through the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila. Amaechi became increasingly isolated after losing his influence in the presidency, while Wike rose to prominence and became the “beautiful bride.”
As 2027 draws closer, the political conspiracy against president Tinubu has begun and taken a more intriguing shape than in 2023. It’s believed former vice president Yemi Osibanjo will make a return to the political stage through the proposed coalition of the opposition parties.
