Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari considered it inappropriate for former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo to contest against President Bola Tinubu in the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary ahead of the 2023 general election.
Lawal made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni TV, explaining that Buhari’s longstanding relationship with Tinubu influenced how he viewed Osinbajo’s presidential ambition.
According to Lawal, Tinubu had played a significant role in Buhari’s emergence as president and was widely regarded as the political figure who recommended him for the position. He suggested that Buhari considered this history important when assessing Osinbajo’s decision to challenge Tinubu for the party’s presidential ticket.
“Buhari would find it highly immoral for Osinbajo to contest the same position with Bola Tinubu,” Lawal said.
He added that, given Buhari’s character and emphasis on loyalty, the former president would have found the situation distasteful, even if he believed Osinbajo might make a better president.
Lawal’s account presents his interpretation of Buhari’s likely position, based on his understanding of the late president and their relationship, rather than a direct public statement from Buhari on the matter.
OSINBAJO’S PRESIDENTIAL AMBITION
Osinbajo served as Nigeria’s vice-president from 2015 to 2023 under Buhari. Before entering the 2023 presidential race, he had spent several years working closely with the former president and occasionally served as acting president when Buhari travelled abroad for medical treatment.
However, Osinbajo’s decision to contest the APC presidential primary placed him in direct competition with Tinubu, the former Lagos State governor and a prominent figure in the party.
Tinubu eventually won the APC presidential primary in June 2022, while Osinbajo finished third, behind Tinubu and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi.
Tinubu subsequently became president after winning the February 2023 general election.
Lawal’s comments add to ongoing discussions about political loyalty, succession and the relationships between prominent figures within the APC before the 2023 election.
LAWAL RECALLS BUHARI’S HANDLING OF PRESIDENCY MATTERS
During the interview, Lawal also recounted an incident involving appointments reportedly recommended by Osinbajo while he was acting president.
He alleged that a memorandum containing proposed appointments had remained unapproved, prompting him to obtain a copy and present it directly to Buhari.
Lawal said Buhari reviewed the document and marked most of the names on the list before raising concerns about the number of Yoruba people included.
According to Lawal, he explained that it was Osinbajo’s first memorandum of that kind and offered to discuss the matter with the then vice-president. Buhari subsequently approved the appointments, Lawal claimed.
The account provides further insight into Lawal’s recollection of the internal workings of the Buhari administration and his understanding of the relationship between Buhari and Osinbajo.
