Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has clarified the reasons behind Muhammadu Buhari’s initial reluctance to publicly back Bola Tinubu during the 2023 APC presidential primary. In a recent interview with Symfoni TV, Lawal explained that Buhari harbored reservations regarding Tinubu’s candidacy, citing specific ethical and religious concerns.
Lawal noted that while Buhari was initially hesitant, the former president eventually committed to neutrality following direct discussions. The former SGF highlighted that Tinubu had been a pivotal figure in previous party campaigns, contributing both strategic expertise and financial resources, which complicated any attempt by Buhari to outright oppose his aspirations.
According to Lawal, he suggested that the former president should remain neutral and allow the delegates to decide the nominee. Lawal argued that if Tinubu lost the internal vote, Buhari would avoid the appearance of directly orchestrating the result. However, Buhari initially expressed doubt, fearing that Lawal would manipulate the process to ensure a Tinubu victory. Lawal eventually reassured the former president that even if Tinubu secured the party ticket, the ultimate choice would remain with the Nigerian electorate. Furthermore, Buhari questioned whether a Tinubu presidency would be equitable toward their political allies, a concern Lawal claimed he could manage.
