Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, shocked viewers on Tuesday when he angrily told a journalist to “shut up” during a live television broadcast.
The incident happened on TVC while Lawal was being interviewed by journalist Nifemi Oguntoye. Tensions rose when Oguntoye compared the 2019 and 2023 general elections, suggesting that both elections were conducted under similar processes.
“Mr Lawal, it is the same electoral processes in 2019 and 2023,” Oguntoye said. “I didn’t see quite much difference between what happened then and now.”
Clearly angered by the comment, Lawal snapped:
“Give me a break my friend! Shut up! Shut up! Get out! How can you say the Buhari government’s electoral process is the same as Bola Tinubu’s? What’s your problem? The Tinubu government didn’t win the election…”
Despite the outburst, the presenter kept his cool and replied calmly, “I’ll take ‘get out’ because I’ve invited you to my house, but I’m just trying to have an intellectual conversation with you, Mr Lawal.”
Babachir Lawal, a former ally of President Muhammadu Buhari, recently resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). In a letter dated June 29, 2025, he formally announced his exit from the party, addressing the letter to the APC chairman in Bangshika Ward, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State.
Lawal has been a vocal critic of the 2023 election, where President Bola Tinubu was declared winner. His recent comments reflect ongoing tensions within the political class over the conduct and outcome of the polls.