By Ahmed Yusuf
National News – Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu was instrumental in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and financed critical aspects of the party’s successful 2015 presidential campaign that brought former President Muhammadu Buhari to power.
Lawal made the remarks during an interview with Symfoni TV, where he reflected on the events leading to the merger of opposition parties that eventually defeated the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to him, the late Buhari entrusted him with facilitating discussions with Tinubu because of their close relationship. Although he initially declined the responsibility over concerns about political backlash, he eventually accepted after Buhari insisted.
Lawal said he served as a link between Buhari and Tinubu, coordinating consultations among leaders of the opposition parties to ensure the merger that gave birth to the APC succeeded.
He also revealed that Tinubu shelved his own presidential ambition at the time in favour of building a united opposition capable of unseating the PDP.
Recalling events before the APC presidential primary, Lawal said he presented Tinubu with data showing Buhari’s strong electoral support in the North and argued that backing him would produce a winning ticket through support from the South-West.
According to Lawal, Tinubu accepted the argument and persuaded other stakeholders to support Buhari’s emergence as the APC presidential candidate.
The former SGF further claimed that Tinubu mobilised substantial financial resources for the campaign and independently funded the activities of former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, who served as Buhari’s running mate.
He said Osinbajo’s campaign operated somewhat independently because of efforts to address concerns among Christians and some southern groups about Buhari’s candidacy, adding that Tinubu provided logistics, including chartered flights, for the vice-presidential campaign.
Lawal also alleged that Tinubu engaged political consultants from the United States, whom he described as associates of former US President Barack Obama, to strengthen the APC’s campaign strategy.
According to him, Tinubu personally financed major campaign expenditures instead of relying on the campaign’s central funds.
He described Tinubu as a generous politician who had, before becoming president, provided financial assistance to many people without expecting immediate rewards.
However, Lawal sharply criticised the Tinubu administration, describing it as a failure after three years in office.
He alleged that those running the government were more concerned with personal interests than national development, adding that many Nigerians were dissatisfied with the country’s economic situation.
Lawal also expressed disappointment in the President’s leadership, saying Tinubu had changed significantly since assuming office and had departed from the qualities he once admired.
