Why Buhari refused to publicly endorse Tinubu before APC primary – Babachir Lawal

Why Buhari refused to publicly endorse Tinubu before APC primary – Babachir Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has disclosed that late former President Muhammadu Buhari deliberately chose not to publicly endorse President Bola Tinubu ahead of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary in 2022 because of concerns rooted in his religious beliefs, personal ethics and reservations about Tinubu’s suitability to succeed him.

Lawal made the revelation during an interview on Symfoni TV, offering fresh insight into the internal consultations and political calculations that shaped the APC‘s presidential primary, which eventually produced Tinubu as the party’s candidate for the 2023 election.

According to the former SGF, Buhari acknowledged Tinubu’s immense contributions to the APC and his role in helping the party secure electoral victories in 2015 and 2019. However, he said the former president remained conflicted over whether to openly support Tinubu’s presidential ambition.

Lawal explained that Tinubu played a critical role in Buhari’s political journey by mobilising influential political leaders, coordinating campaign strategies and strengthening the APC’s national structure during previous election campaigns.

He recalled confronting Buhari with those facts, arguing that it would be unfair to frustrate Tinubu’s ambition after benefiting from his political support.

“Bola Tinubu brought people and we changed the trajectory of the campaign through those his people. Buhari is a decent man, and I confronted him with those facts because I was there,” Lawal said.

According to Lawal, Buhari did not dispute Tinubu’s contributions but insisted that his personal convictions made it difficult for him to openly support the former Lagos State governor.

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The former SGF said that as the APC presidential primary approached, he proposed a compromise that would allow Buhari to remain neutral while leaving the final decision to party delegates.

He said he advised the former president that neutrality would protect his integrity while allowing the democratic process within the APC to determine its presidential candidate.

“I told him, ‘Stay neutral and allow the party faithful to decide. If delegates reject him, then your hands are clean because you did not stop him,'” Lawal recounted.

However, Buhari was initially unconvinced.

According to Lawal, the former president argued that if he was allowed to supervise the process, Tinubu would almost certainly emerge as the APC‘s presidential candidate because of Lawal’s political strategy and longstanding relationship with him.

“He told me, ‘I know you. Since 2002 we have worked together. If I leave the process to you, Bola Tinubu will get the ticket.’ I replied, ‘Are you now a prophet?'” Lawal said.

Lawal explained that he eventually persuaded Buhari by reminding him that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, Nigerians would still have the final say during the presidential election.

He also revealed that Buhari expressed concern about whether Tinubu, if elected president, would treat members of their political camp fairly and protect their political interests.

Lawal said he assured Buhari that those concerns could be addressed through continued dialogue and engagement.

Following the discussions, Buhari agreed to adopt a neutral position throughout the APC presidential primary process.

Instead of publicly endorsing any aspirant, the then president repeatedly urged delegates to vote according to their conscience and choose the candidate they believed best represented the party’s ideals.

That neutral stance became one of the defining moments of the 2022 APC presidential primary, as Buhari resisted pressure from different political interests to openly back any of the leading contenders.

At the APC Special National Convention held in Abuja in June 2022, Tinubu defeated former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President Ahmad Lawan, former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, and several other aspirants to emerge as the party’s presidential candidate.

Tinubu went on to win the 2023 presidential election and was sworn in as Nigeria’s President on May 29, 2023.

Lawal’s latest comments provide one of the most detailed public accounts yet of the consultations that preceded the APC primary and have reignited debate over Buhari’s succession strategy and the internal dynamics that shaped the ruling party’s presidential ticket.

Political analysts say the revelations are likely to fuel fresh discussions within the APC as political stakeholders begin positioning ahead of the 2027 general election, with Buhari’s leadership decisions continuing to attract public interest even after his death.

Why Buhari refused to publicly endorse Tinubu before APC primary – Babachir Lawal