Why Buhari didn’t openly support Tinubu in 2023 APC primary — Ex-SGF Babachir

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has revealed that former President Muhammadu Buhari harbored religious and ethical reservations about openly backing Bola Tinubu for the presidency in the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) primary. Lawal shared these insights during an interview with Symfoni TV.

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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.

According to Lawal, Buhari was initially hesitant to endorse Tinubu due to concerns related to religion and ethics regarding his suitability as a successor. However, after extensive discussions, Buhari agreed to a neutral stance, allowing party delegates to select the candidate at the convention. Lawal recounted advising Buhari, "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."

Lawal proposed that Buhari should remain neutral, stating, "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." Buhari reportedly expressed skepticism, believing Lawal would ensure Tinubu secured the ticket. Lawal countered by suggesting that even if Tinubu won the primary, the ultimate decision rested with the Nigerian electorate in the general election.

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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.

Lawal also noted that Tinubu's substantial contributions, including providing resources and political strategists for previous APC campaigns, made it challenging for Buhari to oppose his presidential ambition directly. "Bola Tinubu brought people and we coerced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people," Lawal said, acknowledging Buhari's decency and his own role in confronting the former president with these facts.

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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.