Babachir Lawal just exposed how Buhari really felt about Tinubu in 2023

Former SGF Babachir Lawal dropped some serious gist yesterday on Symfoni TV about what really happened behind the scenes during the APC primary in 2023. According to Lawal, Buhari was reluctant to openly support Tinubu because of concerns about his suitability, and he even raised religious and ethical objections to handing over to him. Lawal said he had to confront Buhari with the fact that Tinubu brought people and resources to the campaign, and that it would be unfair to deny him now.

Lawal proposed that Buhari stay neutral and let delegates decide, but Buhari initially rejected that idea. Buhari told Lawal, “I know you, you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket. You started with me since 2002, so I know your methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.” Lawal argued back, saying even if Tinubu got the ticket, the general election could still reject him. In the end, Buhari agreed to stay neutral, but only after Lawal promised to checkmate Tinubu if he won.

This is a man who was Secretary to the Government of the Federation under Buhari, so he was right there in the room. If this is true, it means Buhari never genuinely backed Tinubu — he just allowed the process to happen because he felt cornered. How many other decisions in this country are made this way, not out of conviction but out of political debt and arm-twisting?