Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has revealed why former President Muhammadu Buhari did not openly support President Bola Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary ahead of the 2023 general election.
According to Lawal, Buhari had personal reservations about endorsing Tinubu because of what he described as religious and ethical concerns. However, after several discussions, the late former president agreed to remain neutral and allow party delegates to choose the APC’s presidential candidate at the party’s national convention.
Lawal made the disclosure in an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, offering fresh insight into the political calculations that shaped the APC primary in June 2022.
His comments come just days after Buhari’s death reignited public discussions about his political legacy and his relationship with key figures in the APC, including Tinubu, who eventually succeeded him as president.
Lawal said Buhari respected Tinubu’s contributions to the APC and recognised the role the former Lagos State governor played in helping the party win previous elections.
According to him, Tinubu provided political strategists, mobilised support and contributed resources that strengthened Buhari’s presidential campaigns.
“Bola Tinubu brought people and we coerced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people,” Lawal said.
He explained that Buhari was fully aware of Tinubu’s contributions and could not simply ignore them when the issue of succession arose.
“Buhari is a human and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confronted him with these facts.
“He will not say I don’t know. He would not say it’s a rumour because I was there.
“So why would he deny him (Tinubu)? Why would he… in the end he said okay,” Lawal stated.
The former SGF said that as preparations for the APC presidential convention gathered momentum, he personally advised Buhari not to publicly support or oppose any of the aspirants.
Instead, he urged the president to allow delegates to make the final decision without interference from the Presidency.
Recalling the discussion, Lawal said he appealed to Buhari by acknowledging his concerns while reminding him of Tinubu’s role in building the APC.
“As we were going to the convention, I said, ‘Oga’, let’s make a deal. 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.
“So there’s no way. Let’s make a deal. Stay neutral and allow me to run the process.
“If we go to the convention and the party faithful defeat him, so be it. Your hand is not in it.”
According to Lawal, Buhari initially rejected the proposal because he believed that allowing the process to proceed without his intervention would almost certainly lead to Tinubu emerging as the party’s candidate.
“But Buhari said that’s not an excuse. I know you, you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket.
“I said, are you God now, sir?
“Buhari said, no, you started with me since 2002. So I know how you work. I know your methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.”
Lawal said he responded by reminding Buhari that even if Tinubu won the APC ticket, the final decision would still rest with Nigerian voters during the presidential election.
“I said, okay, granted. If he gets the ticket, it means you are now a prophet. However, you’re ascribing to me qualities I don’t have.
“But let’s assume it happens. Supposing the general election rejects him, is that you?”
He said Buhari also raised concerns about whether Tinubu, if elected president, would treat members of their political camp fairly after assuming office.
According to Lawal, the former president wanted assurances that those who had worked closely with him would not be sidelined in a Tinubu administration.
“He mentioned some things. This man, is he going to be fair to our people? Is he going to be this?
“I said, yes, as long as I’m there, you know, I can checkmate him.
“He said, ‘Okay, deal.'”
Buhari’s decision to remain neutral during the APC primary was widely discussed at the time.
Ahead of the June 2022 convention, several presidential aspirants sought Buhari’s endorsement, believing that his support would give them a significant advantage in the race.
Among those contesting the APC ticket were Tinubu, then Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, then Senate President Ahmad Lawan and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Despite mounting pressure from different camps, Buhari repeatedly told party leaders and delegates to choose a candidate they believed would protect the ideals of the APC and move Nigeria forward.
He deliberately avoided publicly endorsing any of the aspirants before voting commenced.
When the votes were counted, Tinubu won the APC presidential ticket with a comfortable margin, defeating his closest rivals.
He went on to contest the February 2023 presidential election against candidates of other major political parties, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Peter Obi of the Labour Party.
Tinubu was declared the winner by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and was sworn in as Nigeria’s President on May 29, 2023.
Since then, discussions have continued over Buhari’s relationship with Tinubu and the extent of his involvement in the succession process that produced his successor.
Lawal’s latest comments provide another account of events leading to the APC primary, suggesting that while Buhari had personal reservations about Tinubu, he chose not to interfere with the democratic process within the party.