President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday recounted internal debates during the formative days of the All Progressives Congress, revealing that he disagreed with then-General Muhammadu Buhari over the party’s logo.

Speaking during a courtesy visit by members of The Buhari Organisation led by former Governor of Nasarawa State, Senator Tanko Almakura, at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, Tinubu recalled the early merger talks that led to the creation of Nigeria’s current ruling party in 2013.

“We disagreed to agree…We even argued about a symbol. He (Buhari) insisted on parliament, and I insisted on broom. He’s so stubborn,” Tinubu said amid laughter.

Tuesday’s meeting brought together key northern party leaders, including Katsina State Governor Dikko Radda and former Governor Aminu Masari, and could be a consolidation of party ranks ahead of the 2027 electoral cycle.

The APC was officially formed in February 2013 through the merger of four opposition parties: the Action Congress of Nigeria, the Congress for Progressive Change, the All Nigeria Peoples Party, and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance.

Tinubu, then National Leader of the ACN and former Governor of Lagos State, played a central role in the merger, while Buhari led the CPC.

Tinubu said their differing political cultures often clashed in the run-up to registration by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

The broom, ultimately chosen as the party’s logo, symbolised collective action against corruption and poor governance, party leaders say.

The coalition helped the APC unseat the long-ruling Peoples Democratic Party in the 2015 elections, bringing Buhari to power. (The PUNCH)