JamzNG Latest News, Gist, Entertainment in Nigeria
By Ayo Kehinde
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has made a series of explosive claims on the political evolution of President Bola Tinubu and his role in the rise of former President Muhammadu Buhari, claiming that the Nigerian leader has changed man after becoming president.
Lawal made the revelations during an interview with Symfoni TV, excerpts of which went viral on social media, where he reflected on his long political relationship with Tinubu, his role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the behind-the-scenes events that culminated in Buhari’s 2015 election victory.
The former SGF described Tinubu as a compassionate, generous and visionary politician before he became president, but said he had changed dramatically after moving to Abuja in 2022 to pursue his presidential ambition, attributing the transformation to a new inner political circle that allegedly isolated him from long-time associates.
Lawal said Tinubu was once known for his kindness, generosity and willingness to help people without expecting anything in return.
According to him, the former governor of Lagos State was approachable, listened to advice and constantly intervened to assist people facing difficult situations.
“President Tinubu was an excellent human being before he became president. If you have a problem, he will do everything to solve it. He was a good listener, took advice and was kind,” Lawal said.
He added that Tinubu’s compassion often reminded him of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“I compared him to Buhari because he was also very kind and understanding to people.”
Lawal further stated that Tinubu possessed a rare ability to identify potential in people and often offered substantial financial support to those he believed would make significant contributions in the future.
“He is a person you can like. Bola has given some people an incredible amount of money to help them out of crises without expecting anything. But the beautiful thing about Tinubu is that he has a gift. He can see future returns in you in advance. He does things like that,” he said.
According to Lawal, Tinubu’s personality changed after he moved to Abuja in 2022 in preparation for the APC presidential primaries.
“He was an excellent human being, but then he became president and something happened. I know when he changed and I told him. Around 2022, Tinubu moved to Abuja to pursue his presidential ambition, and our people, the northerners who were his friends, surrounded him and he was caged,” he said.
Lawal said Tinubu’s new associates introduced him to individuals he described as religious extremists, who he accused of influencing the president.
“They introduced him to religious bigots who claimed to know Buhari, and that’s when he started to change. That’s when I got access to him in Abuja.”
He further said that Tinubu no longer appeared to be fully responsible for his administration.
“He was a good man at that time, but now he has lost his soul. He is someone who always commands, but he no longer seems responsible as long as he gets his share of what he is looking for. The rest they can plunder as they want,” said the former SGF
Despite his criticism, Lawal said he still hopes Tinubu can return to the qualities that once defined him.
“I wish it could go back to what it was before. Nigeria will be fantastic.”
How Tinubu secured Buhari’s APC ticket
Lawal also recounted what he described as Tinubu’s decisive intervention during the APC presidential primaries ahead of the 2015 general elections.
According to him, Buhari was initially not the favorite to secure the party’s presidential ticket, with Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Imo State governor Rochas Okorocha enjoying significant regional support.
“On the day of the APC convention in 2014, the North West supported Kwankwaso and Atiku while the South West waited for Tinubu’s direction. The South East supported Okorocha, and would probably have won the presidential ticket based on our numbers.”
Lawal recalled that after unsuccessful attempts to persuade former Adamawa state governor Murtala Nyako and former Sokoto state governor Aliyu Wamakko to support Buhari, he and other APC leaders approached Tinubu with polling data demonstrating Buhari’s strength in northern Nigeria.
“That night, Bola didn’t sleep. He went back to Governor Nyako and Governor Wamakko and convinced both of them to support Buhari. That’s when we got the North West votes back for Buhari.”
He said Tinubu subsequently directed delegates from the South West to support Buhari, ensuring his victory at the convention.
The former SGF also disclosed that he repeatedly defended Tinubu whenever Buhari expressed reservations against him.
According to Lawal, Buhari occasionally raised concerns about Tinubu’s background and education, but reminded the former president that Tinubu had played an indispensable role in making his presidency possible.
“He had access to the files on Tinubu, but I told him, ‘You knew all this when you asked for his support, and he gave it to us. So why bite the finger that fed us?’ Buhari accepted and changed.
Lawal added that he remained one of the few people who fully understood Tinubu’s contribution to Buhari’s political success.
“I was one of the people who knew firsthand what Tinubu had done to facilitate Buhari’s presidency, and I never let Buhari forget it.”
He also said former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai and Tinubu never had a cordial political relationship.
Lawal further claimed that Tinubu saved Buhari’s presidential campaign after an initial funding deal with a wealthy businessman fell through.
He claimed that he and former Bayelsa State governor Timipre Sylva had secured the businessman’s financial support during a discreet meeting aboard a yacht, but the deal reportedly fell through after the businessman was allegedly threatened by the administration of then President Goodluck Jonathan.
“That’s when we went to Tinubu and explained the matter to him. Through him, we raised enough funds to carry forward Buhari’s campaign.”
It also alleged that Tinubu funded then vice presidential candidate Yemi Osinbajo’s separate campaign organization and personally hired American political consultants who had previously worked on former US President Barack Obama’s election campaigns.
“Bola also hired American consultants who were doing professional work on Buhari’s image. They were the same people who ran Obama’s campaign, and I know this cost him over $2 billion.
“Whenever there was a need to spend, he didn’t go to the campaign fund. He spent from his own wallet.”
Lawal’s remarks come as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gain momentum and senior figures within the ruling APC are increasingly divided over the direction of the Tinubu administration.
A founding member of the APC and one of the architects of the opposition coalition that defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2015, Lawal served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation under former President Buhari before leaving office in 2017. Since President Tinubu took office in May 2023, however, Lawal has become one of the administration’s most outspoken critics, repeatedly criticizing its economic policies, appointments and governance style, while aligning himself with opposition efforts to build a formidable coalition ahead of the next presidential election.
The latest comments, made during a Symfoni TV interview that has since generated widespread reactions online, provide a rare insider’s account of the political maneuverings, campaign financing and strategic alliances that preceded Buhari’s rise to power, while offering Lawal’s personal assessment of how Tinubu has changed since becoming president.
Post views:
142
