FACT-CHECK: Boss Mustapha Did Not Discredit President Tinubu — Ex-SGF Recognized Tinubu’s Role, Advocated Continuity of Reforms, Nafiu Shitu Writes

By Emmanuel Kwada

In a decisive rebuttal to swirling rumors, Nafiu Shitu Khalid, Secretary of Nigeria Bridge-Builders, has debunked claims that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, dismissed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s pivotal role in the 2015 electoral victory of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The misleading narrative, circulated by select media outlets, has been labeled as inaccurate and a distortion of Mustapha’s remarks, prompting a clarion call for responsible journalism and fidelity to facts.

Speaking at the launch of the book According to the President by Garba Shehu, Mustapha delivered a nuanced reflection on the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s historic 2015 triumph. Far from discrediting Tinubu, the former SGF lauded him as a central figure in the coalition that reshaped Nigeria’s political landscape.

“The APC’s historic 2015 victory was a product of coalition politics, strategic alliances, and shared commitment to reform—not the effort of one individual alone,” Mustapha stated, emphasizing the collective leadership that propelled the party to power.

Khalid’s fact-check, released on July 12, 2025, clarifies that Mustapha explicitly recognized Tinubu’s contributions to the APC’s formation and success. As a key architect of the party’s merger process, Tinubu’s political mobilization and alliance-building were instrumental in forging a formidable opposition that unseated the incumbent government in 2015.

Mustapha explicitly recognized Tinubu’s contributions to the APC’s formation and success

Mustapha’s remarks, Khalid insists, were a celebration of this collaborative effort, not a diminishment of any individual’s role.

Mustapha went further, commending President Tinubu for building on the foundation laid by Buhari’s administration.

He highlighted several key reforms under Tinubu’s leadership, including the transformation of the Central Delivery Coordination Unit (CDCU) into the Central Results Delivery and Coordination Unit (CRDCU), the sustained implementation of the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP), and advancements in critical national policies such as electricity deregulation, comprehensive tax reform, and the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocols.

Far from undermining Tinubu, Mr. Mustapha credited him and other founding leaders for giving political direction to the APC merger process

These efforts, Mustapha noted, reflect a commitment to systemic governance and institutional strengthening—hallmarks of the APC’s reform agenda. “Far from undermining Tinubu, Mr. Mustapha credited him and other founding leaders for giving political direction to the APC merger process,” Khalid emphasized.

The former SGF’s remarks underscored the importance of continuity in governance, advocating for policies driven by institutions and structures rather than individual acclaim.

The erroneous claim that Mustapha dismissed Tinubu’s role appears to stem from a misinterpretation of his emphasis on collective leadership. Khalid’s statement clarifies that at no point did Mustapha suggest Tinubu was inconsequential to Buhari’s rise.

Instead, he framed the 2015 victory as a triumph of unity, with Tinubu as a linchpin in the coalition. “His lecture was about governance by institutions, not a fixation on personal glory,” Khalid noted, urging media outlets to prioritize primary sources to avoid spreading misinformation.

The fact-check serves as a broader appeal to media platforms and political commentators to verify claims before amplifying them. In an era where misinformation can distort public perception and undermine national discourse, Khalid’s statement underscores the need for accuracy on matters of national significance.

His lecture was about governance by institutions, not a fixation on personal glory

“Boss Mustapha did not undermine Tinubu. Instead, he acknowledged Tinubu’s significant political role and praised the current administration’s continuation of Buhari’s reform agenda,” Khalid reiterated.

As Nigeria navigates its complex political landscape, the Nigeria Bridge-Builders’ clarification seeks to quell divisive narratives and reaffirm the APC’s legacy of collective leadership. Mustapha’s remarks, far from being divisive, were a testament to Tinubu’s contributions and a call to sustain the reforms that have defined the party’s governance ethos.

With this fact-check, Khalid and his organization aim to restore clarity and foster unity, urging all stakeholders to focus on Nigeria’s progress rather than fabricated controversies.

Read Also: FACT-CHECK: Ex-SGF Boss Mustapha Actually Praises Tinubu’s Role in Buhari’s Presidency