Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has launched a scathing critique of the Bola Tinubu administration, branding its policies as divisive, ineffective, and economically ruinous.
In an explosive interview on Arise Television, Lawal, once a staunch ally of President Tinubu, reiterated his opposition to the Muslim-Muslim ticket and accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of attracting politicians driven by self-interest and personal gain.
Responding to criticisms from Tinubu’s aides who accused him of arrogance and bigotry, Lawal dismissed the president’s visit to the Vatican as mere optics. “Going to see the Pope is just a matter of lobbying. It’s not a major achievement,” he said, adding that if Nigeria had maintained religious balance in leadership, a Christian vice president should have led such a delegation.
He described the Muslim-Muslim ticket as a “deliberate insult to Christianity,” saying it was unfair and undermined religious equity in governance. “Now we have a so-called Muslim visiting the Pope and leading a delegation of eminent Catholics to the Vatican. It only reinforces the unfairness of that ticket,” Lawal added.
Lawal condemned the ongoing wave of defections to the APC, describing defectors as individuals motivated by survival and luxury rather than principle. “Most of these politicians defecting to APC are trying to safeguard their stomachs and luxurious lifestyles they acquired using public money,” he said.
He cited a study that revealed 21 governors failed to deliver their states during the 2023 presidential elections, noting that politicians have lost touch with real voters. “Even in Borno, the vice president couldn’t deliver the state to the APC until ‘magic’ was done on the results,” he alleged.
Asked about his alignment with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the coalition talks among opposition leaders, Lawal confirmed Atiku’s active participation but refrained from declaring support for any specific candidate. “Atiku has attended most of the political meetings regarding the merger or new platform. He’s one of the most committed,” he said.
However, Lawal ruled out the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as a viable option, describing it as incurable. “Nobody is even considering adopting the PDP. It has an incurable virus. No antibiotic can cure what is ailing the PDP,” he stated, hinting that the coalition might adopt an existing smaller party or register a new one.
Lawal revealed he last spoke with Tinubu in June 2022 before the announcement of Kashim Shettima as running mate. Since then, he has had no contact with the president and has become increasingly critical of his leadership.
On the state of the nation, Lawal said, “Insecurity has increased exponentially under Tinubu. It’s as if the government is training insurgents. Poverty has multiplied. The economy has completely collapsed. They are borrowing money that doesn’t even arrive in Nigeria.”
He accused the administration of having no real interest in fixing the economy, claiming instead that it is set on ruining it. “Tinubu has cotton wool in his ears. His intention is to run down the country. We were deceived.”
Lawal insisted that his opposition to the Muslim-Muslim ticket was not merely religious, but rooted in the principle of equity. “When leaders practice evil, society suffers. That’s where we are today. I won’t support a Christian-Christian ticket either, but a terrible precedent has been set.”
Reacting to international commendation for Nigeria’s economic policies, Lawal dismissed endorsements from the IMF and World Bank, accusing them of exploiting developing nations. “No country has ever come out stronger after IMF intervention. Their goal is to impoverish us so their people can exploit our wealth.”
Lawal concluded by calling on Nigerians not to be swayed by endorsements or propaganda. “People must feel they belong before they commit to building this country. The current government has failed to show fairness, and that is why the nation is suffering.”
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