Buhari's Concerns Over Tinubu's 2023 Candidacy Revealed

Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, stated that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari had reservations about Bola Tinubu’s candidacy for the 2023 presidential election due to his religious convictions and personal ethics. Despite these concerns, Buhari chose to remain neutral and allowed delegates to select the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate freely.

Lawal, who has become a vocal critic of Tinubu, predicted that Tinubu would fail in his bid for a second term in 2027, endorsing a joint ticket of Peter Obi and Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso from the Nigeria Democratic Congress. Lawal discussed Tinubu’s significant contributions to the APC and Buhari's 2015 campaign, explaining that Buhari found it challenging to oppose Tinubu openly.

He urged Buhari to allow delegates to determine the party’s candidate rather than endorsing anyone, emphasizing the importance of neutrality in the process.