Seyi Tinubu And The Subtle Hands Behind Northern Surge In 2023 Election

Seyi Tinubu played a significant role in the making of Nigeria’s 16th President, particularly in the North West and North Central regions. His involvement in grassroots mobilisation and strategic outreach to youth and community leaders was crucial in securing votes for his father, Bola Ahmed Tinubu. While President Tinubu has long been a ‘political godfather’, instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s political landscape, Seyi’s efforts cannot be overlooked. However, beneath the visible machinery of his operations lay the deft, calculated influence of those who ensured the real voters — the grassroots in the North — remained firmly in line. The 2023 presidential election was one of the most competitive in Nigeria’s history, given the emergence of a formidable third-party candidate. Nigeria, traditionally a two-party state at the national level, faced unprecedented electoral dynamics. The political landscape was further complicated by religious and ethnic sensitivities, with a largely Muslim north and a Christian-majority south. At a time when Nigeria was grappling with a struggling economy, security crises and high inflation, Seyi and his team embarked on a tireless campaign, spreading the message of hope.

Alliances At The Very Top

Who is Hussaini Daura and how and why did Hussaini Daura and Seyi Tinubu meet?

Photographic evidence suggests that the introduction between the two was facilitated by none other than the esteemed Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (the Ọjájá II). As a monarch deeply rooted in tradition and spiritual insight, he likely recognised the strategic importance of such an alliance and played a pivotal role in orchestrating it with the goal of securing Bola Tinubu’s victory. Dr Hussaini Daura would be an energetic bridge on the ground in the North West Region and entire Northern Nigeria, particularly among the grassroot who perpetually supported Mr Buhari. To buttress the fact of their close relationship, it is widely known that the Ooni recently visited former President Buhari in the same Daura, Katsina State, for discussions believed to be centred on the 2027 elections. Once again, he appears to be acting as a visionary, much like the gods he serves, anticipating and shaping the future.

Capturing Buhari’s Political Machinery – Seyi Tinubu’s Knight Move

Buhari’s political machinery still remains a mystery but investigations have gradually uncovered pieces of this mystery. While Seyi Tinubu’s presence was public and energetic, the grassroots were unfamiliar with him, and his father needed credible persons to vouch for his sincerity. Our research reveals that one of the true architects of seamless navigation through the intricate Northern political space was none other than Dr. Hussaini Daura, the convener of the Northern Youth Alliance and Chairman/CEO of AA Afat Oil and Gas. Dr. Daura, a key but underground figure in regional politics, quietly ensured that the right doors remained opened, the critical alliances forged were ensured of being rewarded, and the cultural nuances respected. As the biological nephew of former President Buhari and a trusted Northern power broker still energetic and in his prime, he wielded influence that reached deep into the political corridors of the North and yet unseen.

How Was This Man Moulded?

We cannot but acknowledge that his uncle, Muhammadu Buhari, was completely loved by the Kanuri and Hausa-Fulani of the North, consistently delivering millions of block votes effortlessly. However, in reality, it was the grassroots work of individuals like his biological nephew, Dr. Hussaini Daura, that sustained the groundwork and emphasised an austere disposition of Buhari, ensuring Buhari’s political dominance. He bore the family grassroots machinery which was vast and deeply entrenched, working relentlessly behind the scenes to transform Buhari’s widespread popularity into electoral victories.

For context, there is colossal evidence that Dr. Hussaini Daura has been politicking with President Buhari since his earliest days as a retired military leader and new democratic aspirant for president over two decades ago. He was part of almost every political meeting, including secret negotiations, and was completely trusted by his biological uncle, Buhari, for decades. Hussaini attended meetings across the breadth of Nigeria, including with powerful forces in the South West. Within the family circle, he is widely recognised as the holder of the grassroots political machinery in Northern Nigeria and is well-known among locals.

Adding to his mystique, Hussaini Daura bears a striking resemblance to his uncle, both in physical appearance and stature. This similarity created a powerful visual impression among Northern voters, where simply standing beside or identifying with a politician, such as Seyi Tinubu, conveyed the perception of Buhari’s endorsement. This phenomenon had a direct and positive impact on electoral outcomes, as many supporters viewed his presence as an extension of Buhari’s influence.

Nicknamed ‘The Mafian’, a title that speaks volumes but is not something we delve into in this introductory series, Hussaini Daura was the backbone of Buhari’s grassroots political roadmap. He was deeply involved in the negotiations and political horse-trading that defined the trajectory of Buhari’s campaigns, so much so that he publicly berated his uncle, family, and close associates when, in Buhari’s first tenure, it seemed as if many loyal supporters from other regions were being side-lined. Hussaini’s influence extended beyond the North; he gave live interviews to BBC Hausa, calling for fairness across Nigeria in political appointments and power-sharing formulas.

Understanding the debt owed by his uncle, Hussaini Daura aligned himself with Bola Tinubu early in the presidential race. His involvement was not just symbolic. Our confirmed sources are adamant that while acting from the shadows in many instances, he personally hosted and celebrated President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, in the North West, particularly in Daura, and mobilised campaign efforts, opening offices and deploying extensive resources, including vehicles, at his own expense. Notably, he never sought compensation from the Tinubu campaign organisation, solidifying his reputation as a master tactician who prioritises political influence over personal gain. Seyi Tinubu’s campaign strategies were multifaceted. He engaged extensively with local operatives and youth groups, helping to build a robust network of supporters that would ultimately fulfil his father’s lifelong ambition of leading Nigeria. His ability to energise young voters and assure them of their place in his father’s administration created a sense of ownership among them, further solidifying their support. However, the road to securing the North was not without its challenges. Northern political structures are deeply entrenched, resistant to external influences, and bound by tradition and loyalty. This is where Dr. Daura’s influence was most keenly felt.

Through strategic positioning and well-calculated alliances, Dr. Daura played a masterful game of realpolitik. Photos of their meeting were never politicised and it would appear that they never met or collaborated, However investigations have excavated substantial evidences to show of their backroom alliances and hobnobbing during the campaigns and elections. His presence, though deliberately understated, was critical in ensuring that Seyi Tinubu’s efforts bore fruit. He navigated the hidden undercurrents of Northern politics, smoothing out resistance, and consolidating support in ways that were both subtle and effective. His ability to bridge the traditional and modern political structures meant that Seyi’s campaign was not just a southern transplant but one that resonated genuinely with the Northern electorate.

The numbers from the 2023 elections highlight the effectiveness of these strategies. The North-West and North-Central regions had voter turnouts of above 30%, despite an overall decline in national voter engagement.

The turnouts were Kaduna (32%), Katsina (31%), and Sokoto (28%) in the NorthWest, alongside FCT (30%), and Niger (30%) in the North-Central. They demonstrated the highest voter participation in these regions. This marked engagement was no accident — it was the result of a carefully choreographed dance between public mobilisation and behind-the-scenes manoeuvring.

While Seyi Tinubu may have been the face of the youth-driven campaign, it was the likes of Dr. Daura that backed him well to ensure that the Tinubu family name was on many grassroots lips and ensured that these efforts translated into real electoral gains. Their ability to navigate Northern sensibilities, leverage the family name and regional influence, and deliver results made for an indispensable force in the campaign’s success.

Mr Seyi Tinubu’s next moves are being closely watched. As Nigeria’s political landscape evolves, it remains to be seen how the balance of influence will shift. For now, one thing is clear: the making of Nigeria’s 16th President was not merely a story of strategy and mobilisation. It was a carefully crafted narrative, where visible figures like Seyi Tinubu played their roles with vigour while Dr. Hussaini Daura ensured that the script was executed flawlessly.

Pundits now await how things will unfold in 2027 and how dynasties may fall or rise.