Buhari preferred Mamora not Osinbajo as vice president, says ex-SGF Mustapha

<p>From the former secretary to the government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha came the startling revelation that former president Muhammadu Buhari wanted Senator Adeleke Olurunnimbe Mamora to be his running mate.</p>, <p>Mustapha who spoke during a Thank You dinner organised by the Mr Akinbode Oluwafemi led Corporate Accountability and Public Participation Africa (CAPPA) held in Abuja disclosed that Mamora was one of the members of the federal executive council (FEC) that Buhari held in high esteem.</p>, <p>Mustapha however did not expatiate whether Buhari’s preference for Mamora was prior to his second term in office or in the build up to the 2015 poll when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then national leader of the ruling All progressives Congress (APC) was said to have nominated the former president Prof Yemi Osinbajo to serve as Buhari’s running mate.</p>, <p>Recalling that his path crossed with that of Mamora in his days as the deputy national chairman of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), he explained that Buhari’s decision to appoint Mamora as Minister of Science and Technology, after serving as Minister of State for Health spoke volume of the relationship between them.</p>, <p>Mustapha also referred to the nomination of Mamora to serve as director contact and mobilisation and the deputy director general of the APC campaign council for the 2015 and 2019 polls as testimony of the confidence reposed on Mamora by Buhari.</p>, <p>The Adamawa-born politician described Mamora as a descent man who has no air around him.</p>, <p>He added: “He is simple and an ordinary man. He treats you with every iota of respect. When he spoke at the federal executive council (FEC), we all listen carefully because his analysis of the issues at state are indepth. On each subject matter, he has a contribution to make.</p>, <p>“He is an all rounder. You (Mamora) have served Niger well, you are gift to the nation. We will draw from the reservoir of your knowledge and ability. Don’t see you going into retirement. We be