KEY POINTS

• Akande described how he convinced Tinubu to put his name forward even though Tinubu first showed resistance to the idea.
• The former governor of Osun state believes the #EndSARS protests aimed to diminish Tinubu’s presidential plans.
• Akande credits himself with helping Yemi Osinbajo earn his position as vice president.

Bisi Akande from the Osun State Governorship position revealed his vital function in directing President Bola Tinubu toward the presidential election process.

Tinubu refused to run for president according to Akande because he faced financial challenges and internal doubts.

According to Akande Tinubu repeatedly argued with those who urged him to run for office. According to Akande he traveled to Lagos to reshape Tinubu’s vision by making a Yoruba sacrifice presentation instead of a selfish aspiration framework.

EndSARS, political obstacles, and Osinbajo’s role

According to Akande the #EndSARS protests were fabricated by external actors to disrupt Tinubu’s political aspirations. According to his claim the protests started with external interference from United States that later connected to the Obidient movement.

As revealed by Akande he took part in appointing Yemi Osinbajo as Nigeria’s vice president in 2015. The decision of Yemi Osinbajo to challenge Bola Tinubu during the 2023 primaries sabotaged plans for maintaining political unity among the Yoruba people.