From Protégés to Rivals: How Tinubu’s Allies Drifted Away in the APC

Before 2015, Bola Tinubu and Muhammadu Buhari joined forces to defeat the PDP. Many of Tinubu’s protégés went on to hold key posts in Buhari’s government, including Lai Mohammed, Babatunde Fashola, Yemi Osinbajo, Kayode Fayemi, Rauf Aregbesola, and Babafemi Ojudu. As their national profiles grew, these politicians built independent power bases. Osinbajo even challenged Tinubu in the 2023 APC primary, while Aregbesola broke ranks in Osun State. Others, like Ojudu, became outspoken critics, leaving just a few—such as Fashola—still on good terms with the former Lagos governor. Observers debate the causes of this shift. Some blame Buhari’s appointments for creating new political stars. Others point to personal ambition, regional interests, and succession battles. With 2027 on the horizon, the question remains: will these former allies reunite with Tinubu or forge new paths of their own?

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