Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, recently stated that President Bola Tinubu was instrumental in the creation of the All Progressives Congress. According to Lawal, Tinubu set aside his own presidential aspirations in 2015 to focus on removing the Peoples Democratic Party from power. Lawal shared that Muhammadu Buhari tasked him with brokering a merger between the Congress for Progressive Change and the Action Congress of Nigeria, relying on his friendship with Tinubu to succeed.
Lawal recalled how Tinubu analyzed electoral data to ensure Buhari secured necessary support from the South-West. Beyond political strategy, Lawal alleged that Tinubu personally bankrolled significant portions of the 2015 campaign, including logistics for Yemi Osinbajo and the hiring of American political consultants with ties to Barack Obama at a cost exceeding N2 billion. He noted that Tinubu often preferred funding expenses from his own resources rather than using the central campaign budget.
Despite this history, Lawal expressed disappointment with Tinubu’s current governance. He described the present administration as a failure, arguing that officials are prioritizing self-interest over the needs of the Nigerian public. Lawal suggested that the president has undergone a negative transformation since taking office, leaving many citizens struggling with harsh economic conditions.
