Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, has revealed why late former President Muhammadu Buhari did not openly support President Bola Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress, APC, presidential primary ahead of the 2023 general election.
Lawal said Buhari was initially reluctant to back Tinubu because of concerns about his suitability but eventually agreed to remain neutral after a discussion with him.
The former SGF suggested that Buhari initially didn’t want to hand over to Tinubu because of religious and ethical principles.
He made the disclosure during an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday.
According to Lawal, Tinubu had played a significant role in previous APC campaigns by providing resources and political strategists, making it difficult for Buhari to oppose his presidential ambition.
“Bola Tinubu brought people and we coarced him to change the trajectory of the campaign through those his people.
“Buhari is a human and he’s a decent guy. So I am the only person that confront him with these facts.
“He will not say I don’t know. He would not say it’s a rumour because I was there.
“So why would he deny him (Tinubu)? Why would… in the end he said okay,” Lawal said.
The former SGF said that ahead of the APC presidential convention, he proposed that Buhari should remain neutral and allow party delegates to determine the party’s candidate.
“As we were going to the convention, I said, ‘Oga’, let’s make a deal. I said look, this man (Tinubu),
