Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, says Buhari did not publicly support Tinubu in the 2023 All Progressives Congress primary because of religious and ethical issues.
In an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, Lawal said Buhari was not sure about backing Tinubu due to concerns about his fitness as a successor.
Lawal claimed that after many discussions, the late president chose to remain neutral and let party delegates decide who would be the candidate at the convention.
According to the former SGF, Tinubu had helped with past APC election campaigns by providing money and political advisers, which made it hard for Buhari to openly oppose his presidential bid.
“Bola Tinubu brought people and we coarced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people.
“Buhari is a human and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confront 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 mentioned that before the APC presidential convention, he told Buhari not to back any candidate and let party members choose who they wanted.
“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 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 faithfuls defeat him, so be it. Your hand is not in it.”
Lawal said Buhari first turned down the suggestion, saying if he let him handle it, Tinubu would automatically become the party’s candidate.
“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 methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.”
Lawal replied that even if Tinubu got the APC ticket, it was still up to Nigerians to 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 treat their political group fairly 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 checkmate him.
“He said, ‘Okay, deal.'”
Before the APC presidential primary in June 2022, Buhari asked party delegates to choose a candidate who could promote the party’s values but did not publicly back any aspirant, despite strong pressure from candidates, including Tinubu.
Tinubu, a former Lagos State governor, eventually beat other major candidates, 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.
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