The battle traces for Nigeria’s high-stakes 2027 presidential election are being drawn, and if anybody nonetheless doubted the size of the brewing riot towards President Bola Tinubu, former Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has now erased it—on stay tv. I…
The battle traces for Nigeria’s high-stakes 2027 presidential election are being drawn, and if anybody nonetheless doubted the size of the brewing riot towards President Bola Tinubu, former Secretary to the Authorities of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has now erased it—on stay tv.
In a gripping, no-holds-barred interview on Past The Headlines with Nifemi Oguntoye on TVC Information, Lawal, as soon as one among Tinubu’s staunchest allies, made beautiful revelations concerning the inside workings of a newly fashioned coalition decided to unseat the president and wrest energy from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The coalition, comprising former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, ex-governors Peter Obi, Nasir El-Rufai, and Rotimi Amaechi, together with a number of former Buhari-era ministers, has adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform. Nonetheless, even earlier than it totally launches, the coalition is already grappling with authorized wrangles, management tussles, and widespread public skepticism.
Lawal, who formally dumped the APC on June 29, didn’t mince phrases. He admitted he had been working towards the APC lengthy earlier than his resignation, citing the celebration’s “illiberal and bullying” management as the principle cause.
“APC has by no means been united. It’s a celebration bullied into silence,” Lawal stated bluntly. “You possibly can’t even advise them. The second you elevate dissent, you change into the enemy.”
He additional claimed many APC leaders—together with sitting governors—are secretly disillusioned with the celebration and dealing behind the scenes with the coalition.
“Many are with us. Very, very many,” he pressured, suggesting some want quiet exits whereas others are biding their time.
Anti-Tinubu or Nationwide Rescue?
Lawal pushed again towards the rising notion that the coalition is merely an alliance of disgruntled politicians who misplaced out in Tinubu’s energy performs.
“This coalition isn’t simply an anti-Tinubu challenge. Our purpose is obvious: Substitute a non-performing authorities with one which serves Nigerians higher,” he declared.
He dismissed critics who accuse the coalition of missing contemporary concepts, as an alternative framing it as a mandatory convergence of “like minds” from throughout political divides.
“In democracy, it’s allowed to go away a failing celebration and be part of forces with others to chart a greater course,” he stated.
Outdated Faces, New Tips?
Nonetheless, questions linger about whether or not Nigerians—disillusioned by previous administrations—can belief this coalition of acquainted faces. Lots of its leaders, together with Lawal himself, had been deeply embedded within the Buhari authorities, underneath which Nigeria confronted financial stagnation and insecurity crises. However Lawal supplied a pointy rebuttal, portraying Tinubu’s administration as far worse.
“Authorities is about enhancing lives. If Tinubu inherited unhealthy insurance policies, why hasn’t he mounted them? As a substitute, he has worsened them,” he stated, straight accusing the present president of exacerbating Nigeria’s woes.
He additionally described the APC as “a authorities that controls the judiciary, rigs elections, and intimidates voters,” accusing many governors of remaining in APC merely to guard their private pursuits.
Peter Obi, Amaechi, Atiku: Coalition’s Advanced Internet
Lawal make clear the coalition’s energy dynamics, confirming he nonetheless leans towards Peter Obi, whom he supported in 2023.
“Inside the coalition, everybody is aware of I’m on Peter Obi’s facet,” he revealed, however added that Amaechi and Atiku additionally preserve vital followings throughout the group.
He strongly denied claims that the coalition is just a rebranded PDP, stressing that its members span completely different political traditions—together with former CPC stalwarts like himself and former ACN allies like Rauf Aregbesola.
On Atiku’s function, Lawal stated the previous vp has largely remained quiet at conferences, aside from current events the place he was pressured to talk.
“I’ve attended practically all of the coalition’s conferences. Atiku sits quietly and listens. Peter Obi, Amaechi, and others are lively. Everybody has agreed to shelve private ambitions—for now—to construct this coalition,” he defined.
Buhari’s Shadow Nonetheless Looms
Pressed on whether or not former President Muhammadu Buhari helps the coalition, Lawal was emphatic. “Buhari won’t ever have something to do with the ADC,” he declared. “If I ever hear that Buhari is concerned on this, I’ll personally inform him to again off. This isn’t his struggle.”
Lawal additionally disclosed that regardless of his public fallout throughout his corruption trial—which led to acquittal—he maintains an “wonderful” private relationship with Buhari.
“Buhari and I’m going means again, earlier than he ever grew to become president. I don’t want his permission to do the suitable factor for Nigeria,” he insisted.
2027: A Struggle to the End
Regardless of the coalition’s clear inner frictions and conflicting ambitions, Lawal expressed confidence that it might probably survive—at the very least lengthy sufficient to current a united entrance in 2027. “The understanding is obvious: Nobody can defeat this authorities alone. Peter Obi is aware of it. Amaechi is aware of it. Atiku is aware of it. Everyone knows it,” he stated.
Whereas many Nigerians stay skeptical, Lawal left little question about his place—and the battle forward. “I didn’t go away APC simply to take a seat at dwelling. I’m on this to win.”
