Babachir Explains Why Buhari Didn't Support Tinubu in APC Primary

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said Buhari did not publicly support Tinubu during the 2023 All Progressives Congress primary because of religious and ethical issues.

In an interview with Symfoni TV aired on Saturday, Lawal said Buhari was initially unsure about backing Tinubu due to concerns about his suitability as a successor.

Lawal claimed that after many discussions, the late president decided to stay neutral and let party delegates pick the candidate at the convention.

According to the former SGF, Tinubu was key in past APC election campaigns by providing resources and political advisers. This made it hard for Buhari to openly oppose Tinubu's presidential ambition.

"Bola Tinubu brought people and we convinced him to change the direction of the campaign through those people.

"Buhari is a human and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confronts 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 said.

Lawal added that before the APC presidential convention, he told Buhari to avoid backing any candidate and let the party members choose.

"As we were going to the convention, I said, ‘Oga’, let’s make a deal. I said look, this man (Tinubu), we now know that based on 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."

"But Buhari said that’s not an excuse. I know you, you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket.

"I say, are you God now, sir?

"Buhari said, no, you started with me since 2002. So I know how you work. I know your methods. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket."

Lawal said he replied that even if Tinubu got the APC ticket, Nigerians would still decide the election's outcome.

"I say, okay, 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 added that Buhari also worried about whether Tinubu would be fair to their political group if he became president.

"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 check him.

"He said, ‘Okay, deal.'"

Before the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Buhari consistently urged party delegates to pick a candidate they trusted to promote the party’s goals. But he did not publicly endorse anyone, despite pressure from contenders, including Tinubu.

Tinubu, a former governor of Lagos State, went on to defeat other major aspirants, including former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, Senate President Ahmad Lawan, and Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, to win the APC presidential ticket.

He later won the presidential election in February 2023 and took the oath of office on May 29, 2023.