Tinubu financed 2015 campaign, played key role in APC formation - Babachir Lawal

Former Nigerian Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal has asserted that President Bola Tinubu was a pivotal figure in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Lawal claimed Tinubu played a central role in uniting opposition parties and financed significant portions of Muhammadu Buhari's successful 2015 presidential campaign.

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I was in Dubai when you called me that I should come out because we want to do a merger with the ACN. And I told you, sir, this role you want me to play, I cannot play it… So Buhari said, You are the only one that can help us do this merger because Bola is your friend.

During an interview on Symfoni TV, Lawal recounted how Buhari entrusted him with facilitating talks between the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Tinubu's Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). He recalled Buhari saying, "You are the only one that can help us do this merger because Bola is your friend." Lawal also stated that Tinubu agreed to postpone his own presidential aspirations to ensure the opposition defeated the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

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BD, you know my ambition to be president. But the way the country is going, the primary goal is to get rid of PDP. I will defer my ambition, put it aside until we achieve this goal.

Lawal further alleged that Tinubu personally funded substantial aspects of the APC's 2015 campaign, including campaign activities for then-vice presidential candidate Yemi Osinbajo. "Through him (Tinubu), we were able to raise sufficient funds to do the campaign," Lawal said, adding that Tinubu also funded Osinbajo's campaign efforts and hired American political consultants associated with former US President Barack Obama to bolster the APC's strategy.

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I said, sir, look at it. I have this data… This man (Buhari), whether he is on the ballot or not, normally gets 12 million votes from the north. So it required three more million votes… Sir, why not support your winning ticket?

However, Lawal expressed disappointment with Tinubu's current administration, labeling it a "failure." He accused those in government of neglecting the nation's welfare in favor of personal gain, a stark contrast to the unity and purpose he described during the APC's formation.

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He (Tinubu) saw the logic and persuaded them with the argument. And coming from Tinubu, of course… So at the last minute, around 4 a.m., they agreed that they were going to support Buhari.