Babachir Lawal Reveals Why Buhari Allegedly Didn’t Want To Hand Over To Tinubu

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has disclosed that late former President Muhammadu Buhari did not openly support President Bola Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary because of concerns about his suitability.

Lawal disclosed this during an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday.

He claimed that Buhari initially didn’t want to hand over to Tinubu because of religious and ethical principles.

According to Lawal, Tinubu had played a significant role in previous APC campaigns by providing resources and political strategists, making it difficult for Buhari to oppose his presidential ambition.

“Bola Tinubu brought people and we coerced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people.

“Buhari is a human, and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confront 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… in the end he said okay,” Lawal said.

The former SGF said that ahead of the APC presidential convention, he proposed that Buhari should remain neutral and allow party delegates to determine the party’s candidate.

“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 on the basis of 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,” he said.

Lawal said Buhari rejected the proposal at first, insisting that he would ensure Tinubu emerged as the APC candidate if left to manage the process.

“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 argued that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, the outcome of the general election would ultimately be decided by Nigerians.

“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?”

According to Lawal, Buhari also raised concerns about whether Tinubu would treat members of their political camp fairly 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.’”

Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that late former President Muhammadu Buhari was initially reluctant to support President Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambition ahead of the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election.

Lawal made the revelation during an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, alleging that Buhari’s hesitation stemmed from personal convictions rooted in his religious beliefs and ethical principles.

According to the former SGF, despite Buhari’s reservations, Tinubu’s longstanding contributions to the APC and his role in previous election victories made it difficult for the former president to oppose his bid for the presidency.

Lawal recalled that Tinubu played a crucial role in strengthening Buhari’s campaign by providing political strategists and other resources that helped reshape the party’s election strategy.

“Bola Tinubu brought people, and we persuaded him to change the direction of the campaign through those individuals. Buhari is a decent man, and I was one of the few people who could remind him of those facts because I witnessed them firsthand. He couldn’t deny Tinubu’s contributions because they were real,” Lawal said.

He further disclosed that before the APC presidential convention, he advised Buhari to remain neutral and allow party delegates to freely choose the party’s flag bearer instead of influencing the outcome.

“I told him, ‘Sir, let’s make a deal. We understand that based on your religious beliefs, ethics, and personal convictions, you don’t want to hand over power to this man. But he has contributed immensely to bringing us this far. Allow the delegates to decide. If they reject him at the convention, then so be it, and no one will say you were responsible,'” Lawal recounted.

According to him, Buhari initially rejected the proposal, insisting that if Lawal managed the process, Tinubu would inevitably emerge as the party’s candidate.

“He told me, ‘That’s not an excuse. I know you. If I leave the process in your hands, Bola Tinubu will get the ticket.’

“I responded by asking, ‘Sir, are you now God?’

“He replied that we had worked together since 2002 and that he understood how I operated. He believed that if I handled the process, Tinubu would certainly secure the nomination,” Lawal said.

Lawal said he reminded Buhari that even if Tinubu won the APC ticket, Nigerians would still decide the outcome of the presidential election.

“I told him, ‘Let’s assume he wins the ticket. That doesn’t guarantee victory in the general election. The Nigerian people will still determine who becomes president,'” he added.

The former SGF also claimed Buhari expressed concerns about whether Tinubu would be fair to members of their political camp if he eventually became president.

“He asked whether Tinubu would treat our people fairly and raised several concerns. I assured him that as long as I remained involved, I would be able to keep things in check. After that, he agreed, and we reached an understanding,” Lawal stated.