How Tinubu Atiku Alliance Helped Buhari Win 2015 Election

A former top government official has explained how the coming together of Bola Tinubu, Atiku Abubakar, and other opposition leaders in 2013 helped Muhammadu Buhari win the presidential election in 2015.

Boss Mustapha, who served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation under Buhari, spoke during a public event in Abuja where a book about the former president was launched.

The event was held to present According to the President, a memoir written by Buhari’s former spokesperson, Garba Shehu. During his speech, Mustapha shared inside details about how Buhari’s victory over then-incumbent President Goodluck Jonathan was made possible by the decision to merge several opposition parties into one strong political force.

Before the merger, Buhari had contested in three presidential elections without success. However, his vote numbers remained consistently strong, especially in the northern part of the country. In 2011, he received 12.2 million votes. That number, according to Mustapha, became the starting point when discussions began to form a single party that could challenge the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP).

The merger involved the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), which Buhari led, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), led by Tinubu, and the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). A faction of the PDP, called the New PDP, also joined. When the merger was completed, they formed the All Progressives Congress (APC).

At the time of the merger, the CPC had only one state under its control, while the ACN had six and the ANPP three. Despite this, Buhari’s strong grassroots support made him the clear choice for the party’s presidential ticket. Mustapha explained that the votes brought in by the other merging parties added around 3.2 million to Buhari’s usual tally, which gave the APC the edge needed to win.

The 2015 election made history as it was the first time an opposition party defeated a sitting president through the ballot box in Nigeria. Mustapha, who played a major role in the ACN before the merger, said the strategy to unite and back Buhari as the sole candidate was a practical decision based on numbers and public trust in Buhari’s character.

The book launch was attended by several prominent political figures. Former Vice Presidents Yemi Osinbajo and Atiku Abubakar were present, along with ex-governors, former ministers, and top aides from the Buhari years. President Bola Tinubu, who was also part of the 2013 alliance, sent his message through the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

During the event, Tinubu praised Buhari’s time in office, saying his leadership was marked by discipline, public service, and national interest. He also promised that the current administration would continue many of the reforms started under Buhari.

Mustapha recalled the economic and security problems Buhari inherited in 2015. Falling oil prices had weakened the economy, and Boko Haram insurgency was spreading. He said Buhari responded with reforms focused on financial discipline, capital investment, and public trust.

Major infrastructure projects were a key part of Buhari’s government. Projects like the Second Niger Bridge, the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, the Abuja-Kaduna-Kano highway, and the Warri-Itakpe rail line were built to connect different parts of the country and improve transportation.

Mustapha also pointed to the importance of the new railway system, especially the standard-gauge rail lines. Segments like Lagos to Ibadan and Abuja to Kaduna are already in use, with the aim of eventually linking Lagos to Kano and improving both passenger and goods movement across Nigeria.

In his remarks, former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, spoke about the role of communication in leadership. He said Buhari tried to do his best, especially in dealing with security issues. Gowon praised the armed forces and called for more public support for security agencies fighting to protect the country.

Gowon described Buhari as a simple man who avoided wasteful spending and stayed true to his personal values. He mentioned a story from the book where Buhari, shortly after becoming president, rejected a proposal to increase the State House catering budget, insisting instead that it should be reduced.

The book, According to the President, gives an insider’s view of life in the presidency and offers lessons in communication, governance, and leadership under pressure. Tinubu said such books are important for keeping the country’s political history alive and helping future leaders learn from the past.

As the country prepares for future elections, the story of the 2015 merger continues to offer insight into how coalitions and strategy can shape national leadership. The alliance that helped Buhari win may be long over, but its impact is still felt today.