Buhari Found Osinbajo's Presidential Bid Immoral, Says Lawal

Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, revealed in an interview with Symfoni TV that former President Muhammadu Buhari considered Yemi Osinbajo's 2023 presidential bid against Bola Tinubu to be immoral. Lawal explained that Buhari viewed Osinbajo's actions as a serious breach of loyalty and personal morality, particularly because Buhari held Tinubu in high regard, having been the one to recommend him for the presidency.

Lawal noted that even if Buhari believed Osinbajo might be a more capable leader, his loyalty to Tinubu made it difficult for him to support Osinbajo's ambition. Lawal also alleged that Buhari was uneasy about Osinbajo's appointment choices, claiming that many individuals Osinbajo wanted to bring into his office were from the Redeemed Christian Church of God, where Osinbajo serves as a pastor.

He mentioned a memo for Osinbajo's initial office staff that went unsigned for three months and alleged that Abba Kyari, then chief of staff, had not forwarded it to Buhari. Lawal claimed that Buhari marked most names on the list as being from the Yoruba ethnic group.