Tinubu Altered Auster Persona of Buhari Paving Way For Election Victory, Reveals Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has revealed the crucial role President Bola Tinubu played in Muhammadu Buhari’s emergence as president in 2014. According to Lawal, Tinubu’s endorsement of Buhari was a turning point in Nigeria’s political history. Lawal made this revelation in a recent interview.

Lawal explained that the pre-convention landscape was chaotic, with Buhari’s chances looking uncertain due to his austere persona, which made Northern elites uneasy.

They feared Buhari might not allow their “lifestyle” of benefiting from government. Lawal recounted that he and his late colleague, Inuwa Abdulkadir, APC’s National Vice Chairman for the North-West, held a late-night strategy session with Tinubu to persuade him to support Buhari’s presidential bid.

“During the meeting, they considered alternative scenarios, including the possibility of Rochas Okorocha carrying the ticket with the support of Northern voters. However, they realized this could split the northern vote and jeopardize Buhari’s chances.

Tinubu was convinced by their argument and eventually threw his weight behind Buhari.

Lawal credited Tinubu’s social skills and ability to convince people as crucial factors in Buhari’s emergence as president. He also revealed that some Southwest delegates had received “incentives” from a rival candidate but were forced to return the money once Tinubu made his choice.

With Tinubu’s backing secured, the tide turned in favor of Buhari. Lawal acknowledged Tinubu’s political skills as decisive in Buhari’s emergence, stating, “This type of skill that he brought to the system, along with other things, contributed to Buhari’s victory.” Lawal’s revelation provides insight into the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that led to Buhari’s presidential bid.