Buhari's Neutral Stance on Tinubu in APC Primary Explained

Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, revealed in an interview with Symfoni TV that former President Muhammadu Buhari refrained from openly supporting Bola Tinubu in the 2023 All Progressives Congress (APC) primary due to religious and ethical concerns regarding Tinubu's suitability as a successor. Lawal indicated that after discussions, Buhari chose to remain neutral, allowing party delegates to decide the candidate at the convention.

He noted that Tinubu had significantly contributed to previous APC election campaigns, complicating Buhari's ability to oppose his presidential ambitions. Lawal recounted advising Buhari to avoid backing any aspirant, emphasizing that if Tinubu was defeated at the convention, it would not implicate Buhari.

Despite initial reluctance, Buhari expressed concerns about Tinubu's potential fairness to their political camp if elected. Ultimately, they reached an agreement for Buhari to stay neutral while Lawal would manage the process.