The Special Adviser to the President on Public Communications and Orientation, Sunday Dare, on Thursday, commended President Bola Tinubu for his instrumental role in the emergence of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Before the All Progressives Congress (APC) defeated the then-ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, Buhari had run unsuccessfully for the presidency in the 2003, 2007, and 2011 elections.

The turning point came when Buhari’s Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) merged with Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) and other parties, forming the APC—a platform that ultimately won the 2015 presidential election.

Appearing on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Dare asserted that Buhari’s victory would not have been possible without Tinubu’s pivotal contributions.

“If you look at the role Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu played in the emergence of Muhammadu Buhari, it’s clear that without his efforts in forming the party and creating the platform, President Buhari would not have emerged,” Dare remarked.

Championing Buhari’s Candidacy

When asked if he promoted Buhari as the APC’s presidential candidate, Dare affirmed it was a collective effort.

“It wasn’t just me; it was a team. The electoral victories in 2015 and 2019 had President Tinubu’s influence. Many others played significant roles,” he said.

Reflecting on Buhari’s legacy, Dare, who served as the Minister of Sports and Youth Development in Buhari’s administration, declined to label his tenure as a failure, emphasizing instead that governance is continuous.

“Buhari did his part and moved on, just like Obasanjo, Yar’Adua, and Jonathan before him. Now, President Bola Tinubu is making bold, courageous decisions that other leaders did not,” he added.

Dare praised Tinubu for his reforms, notably the removal of the petrol subsidy, aimed at realigning the nation’s economy for sustainable growth.