Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu played a pivotal role in financing major aspects of Muhammadu Buhari’s successful 2015 presidential campaign after an earlier fundraising effort reportedly collapsed.

Speaking on the circumstances surrounding the campaign, Lawal said Buhari initially faced funding challenges because he was not financially buoyant. According to him, he and former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva met with a wealthy businessman aboard his yacht to seek financial support for the campaign.

Lawal alleged that although the businessman agreed to provide funding, the arrangement fell through after news of the meeting reached the administration of then-President Goodluck Jonathan.

He claimed the businessman was subsequently summoned to Abuja and threatened, leading to the withdrawal of the promised support.

He said the development prompted the campaign team to approach Tinubu, who, according to him, stepped in to provide financial backing.

Lawal further alleged that Tinubu financed not only Buhari’s campaign but also a separate campaign for then-vice presidential candidate Yemi Osinbajo. He also claimed Tinubu engaged American political consultants who had previously worked on former U.S. President Barack Obama’s election campaign to help improve Buhari’s public image.

According to the former SGF, Tinubu personally covered campaign-related expenses from his own resources instead of relying on funds raised by the campaign organisation.

The claims have not been independently verified, and there has been no official response from the individuals mentioned at the time of filing this report.