Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal has claimed that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari privately had reservations about Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition before the 2023 election but eventually chose to remain neutral and allow APC delegates to decide the party’s candidate.
Speaking in an interview with Symfoni TV, Lawal said Buhari’s concerns were rooted in his personal ethics and religious convictions.
According to the former SGF, he persuaded Buhari not to endorse any aspirant before the APC presidential primary, arguing that delegates should freely determine the party’s flag bearer.
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Lawal claimed Buhari initially feared that Tinubu would inevitably secure the ticket if he remained neutral but eventually accepted the arrangement.
Tinubu later emerged as the APC presidential candidate before winning the 2023 election.
Looking ahead to 2027, Lawal predicted that President Tinubu would struggle to retain power and argued that the opposition’s best chance lies in a joint ticket involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
He said both politicians would perform significantly better together than if they contested separately, while dismissing the chances of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Lawal also revisited the formation of the APC, describing Tinubu as a central figure in the opposition merger that produced Buhari’s victory in 2015.
He said Tinubu mobilised political support, raised campaign funds, financed the vice-presidential campaign of Yemi Osinbajo and hired foreign political consultants to strengthen the APC’s electoral strategy.
Despite praising Tinubu’s role in building the APC, Lawal criticised the current administration, describing it as a failure and alleging that those in government were more interested in personal gains than national development.
His remarks come as opposition politicians intensify coalition talks ahead of the 2027 general election, with discussions continuing over possible alliances to challenge the ruling APC.
