Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has revealed why former President Muhammadu Buhari refrained from openly endorsing President Bola Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary ahead of the 2023 general election.
Speaking in an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, Lawal said Buhari had reservations about Tinubu’s candidacy based on what he described as religious and ethical concerns.
According to him, the late president was initially reluctant to support Tinubu as his preferred successor.
Lawal disclosed that after a series of discussions, Buhari agreed to remain neutral and allow APC delegates to determine the party’s presidential candidate at the national convention.
He explained that Buhari acknowledged Tinubu’s significant contributions to the APC’s electoral successes, including providing political strategists and campaign resources, making it difficult to oppose his presidential ambition outright.
According to Lawal, he personally advised Buhari against backing any aspirant, urging him instead to allow the party’s democratic process to decide the candidate.
However, Buhari reportedly expressed concerns that if Lawal managed the convention process, Tinubu would eventually emerge as the party’s flag bearer.
Lawal said he responded that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, Nigerians would still have the final say during the presidential election.
The former SGF further claimed Buhari also questioned whether Tinubu, if elected, would be fair to members of their political camp. He said he assured the former president that such concerns could be addressed, after which Buhari agreed to remain neutral.
Ahead of the June 2022 APC presidential primary, Buhari repeatedly urged delegates to vote according to their conscience but declined to publicly endorse any of the leading aspirants despite intense lobbying.
Tinubu eventually defeated rivals, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to clinch the APC presidential ticket.
He went on to win the February 2023 presidential election and was sworn in as Nigeria’s president on May 29, 2023.
