Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has revealed that late President Muhammadu Buhari promised to make him the APC’s preferred presidential candidate in 2022.
Amaechi said Buhari advised him not to campaign or negotiate with other party leaders, a decision he now considers a major mistake.
The former minister made the revelation during a radio interview in Lagos, while reflecting on how President Bola Tinubu secured the APC ticket.
Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi has revealed how a promise from late President Muhammadu Buhari influenced his decision not to campaign ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022.
Amaechi said Buhari assured him that he would announce him as his preferred candidate, even putting the promise in writing. However, the former Rivers State governor believes his decision to trust that assurance contributed to his defeat by President Bola Tinubu.
What Buhari told Amaechi before the APC primary
Amaechi made the revelation during an interview on Mainland 98.3FM’s The Situation Room programme in Lagos on Friday, November 6, 2026.
Speaking about the circumstances surrounding his defeat, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain described listening to Buhari as the biggest mistake he made during the contest.
According to him, the former president specifically instructed him not to campaign because he would eventually announce him as his preferred candidate.
Amaechi said:
“The first mistake that I made at that primary was that I listened to President Buhari. He said to me, ‘Don’t campaign. Don’t do anything. I will announce you as my candidate.”
“He told me that. He put it in writing. When I write my book, I’ll put it out.”
The former minister explained that his relationship with Buhari influenced his decision to trust the assurance, especially because he had served under him as Minister of Transportation.
How Tinubu benefited from Amaechi’s decision
Amaechi also admitted that his failure to negotiate with governors and other influential APC members weakened his chances of winning the presidential ticket
He argued that he could have secured more support by discussing important political positions with governors, including the offices of vice-president and Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF).
He suggested that Tinubu took advantage of the situation by building stronger political alliances ahead of the election.
Amaechi said:
“Because I didn’t do deals, Tinubu had the chance to do deals.”
The former governor also spoke about religion during the contest, alleging that religious sentiments were used to mobilise support for Tinubu, particularly in northern Nigeria.
He specifically mentioned former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, whom he claimed initially supported his ambition before eventually backing Tinubu.
What happened at the 2022 APC presidential primary?
The APC presidential primary took place at Eagle Square in Abuja in June 2022
Tinubu emerged victorious with 1,271 votes, while Amaechi finished second with 316 votes.
Tinubu subsequently became the APC candidate and went on to win the 2023 presidential election.
Amaechi, who previously served as director-general of Buhari’s 2015 presidential campaign, is now the running mate to former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar on the ADC ticket ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has declared that all money recovered by the EFCC will go into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND).
The president insisted that nobody would reverse the decision, describing education as a powerful weapon against poverty.
Tinubu made the announcement at the launch of Arise Palm Resort in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state, renewing discussions about funding the student loan scheme.
Tinubu explains why EFCC recovered money will fund educatio
President Bola Tinubu has reiterated his administration’s decision to channel all funds recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). Continue reading here.
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