By Abiola Olawale
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has shed light on one of the most talked-about political mysteries surrounding the 2023 general election.
Babachir opened up on why former President Muhammadu Buhari refused to publicly endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary.
Speaking during an interview on Symfoni TV, Lawal revealed that Buhari initially harbored deep reservations about backing Tinubu due to religious and ethical concerns regarding his suitability as a successor.
According to the former SGF, Buhari was hesitant to throw his weight behind Tinubu’s presidential ambition because of personal principles.
Buhari reportedly doubted whether Tinubu was the right candidate to hand over power to, citing moral and religious considerations.
Lawal explained that despite Buhari’s hesitation, opposing Tinubu outright presented a major political dilemma. According to him, Tinubu had been instrumental to Buhari’s political success, having heavily funded previous APC presidential campaigns and supplied key political strategists who reshaped Buhari’s campaign trajectory.
Because of Tinubu’s immense contributions to the party’s historical victories, Buhari found himself in a delicate position where he could neither openly oppose Tinubu nor wholeheartedly endorse him.
He stated: “Bola Tinubu brought people, and we coerced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those of his people.
“Buhari is a human, and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confronted him with these facts.
“He will not say I don’t know. He would not say it’s a rumour because I was there.
“So why would he deny him (Tinubu)? Why would he… in the end he said okay.
“As we were going to the convention, I said, ‘Oga’, let’s make a deal. I said, look, this man (Tinubu), we now know that based on your religion and your ethics and your upbringing, you don’t want to hand over to this man, but he has helped us get here.
“So there’s no way. Let’s make a deal. Stay neutral and allow me to run the process.
“If we go to the convention and the party faithfuls defeat him, so be it. Your hand is not in it.”
Lawal said Buhari initially rejected the proposal, insisting that if he allowed him to manage the process, Tinubu would emerge as the party’s candidate.
“But Buhari said that’s not an excuse. I know you; you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket.
“I say, are you God now, sir?
“Buhari said, no, you started with me since 2002. So I know how you work. I know your methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.”
Lawal said he responded that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, Nigerians would still decide the outcome of the presidential election.
“I say, okay, okay, granted. If he gets the ticket, it means you are now a prophet. However, you’re ascribing to me qualities I don’t have.
“But let’s assume it happens. Supposing the general election rejects him, is that you?”
He added that Buhari also expressed concern over whether Tinubu would be fair to members of their political camp if elected president.
“He mentioned some things. This man, is he going to be fair to our people? Is he going to be this?
“I said, yes, as long as I’m there, you know, I can checkmate him.
“He said, ‘Okay, deal.’”
The New Diplomat reports that ahead of the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Buhari repeatedly urged party delegates to choose a candidate they believed could advance the party’s ideals but stopped short of publicly endorsing any of the aspirants, despite intense lobbying by contenders, including Tinubu.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, went on to defeat other leading aspirants, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Ahmad Lawan and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to clinch the APC presidential ticket.
He later won the February 2023 presidential election and was sworn in as president on May 29, 2023.
