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), we now know that on the basis of your religion and your ethics and your upbringing, you don’t want to hand over to this man, but he has helped us get here.

“So there’s no way. Let’s make a deal. Stay neutral and allow me to run the process.

“If we go to the convention and the party faithfuls defeat him, so be it. Your hand is not in it.”

Lawal said Buhari rejected the proposal at first, insisting that he would ensure Tinubu emerged as the APC candidate if left to manage the process.

“But Buhari said that’s not an excuse. I know you, you will give Bola Tinubu this ticket.

“I say, are you God now, sir?

“Buhari said, no, you started with me since 2002. So I know how you work. I know your methodologies. That man, if I leave him to you, he’ll get the ticket.”

Lawal said he argued that even if Tinubu secured the APC ticket, the outcome of the general election would ultimately be decided by Nigerians.

“I say, okay, okay, granted. If he gets the ticket, it means you are now a prophet. However, you’re ascribing to me qualities I don’t have.

“But let’s assume it happens. Supposing the general election rejects him, is that you?”

According to Lawal, Buhari also raised concerns about whether Tinubu would treat members of their political camp fairly if elected president.

“He mentioned some things. This man, is he going to be fair to our people? Is he going to be this?

“I said, yes, as long as I’m there, you know, I can checkmate him.

“He said, ‘Okay, deal.’”

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has announced that it will conduct a mock accreditation exercise on Saturday, August 1, 2026, as part of preparations for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.

According to a public announcement signed by Ariyo Rufus, Head of Department, Voter Education, Publicity, Gender and Inclusivity on behalf of Oluwatoyin Babalola, the INEC Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, the said the exercise was aimed at assessing its operational readiness and testing the efficiency of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System, BVAS ahead of the governorship poll.

INEC stated that the exercise would simulate Election Day accreditation procedures but clarified that no voting would take place during the exercise.

The commission explained that “the mock accreditation would be conducted in selected polling units spread across the three senatorial districts of Osun State, covering Osun Central, Osun East and Osun West.

“In Osun Central Senatorial District, the selected local government areas are Osogbo, Olorunda, Ifelodun and Boripe, with designated polling units identified for the exercise.

“For Osun East Senatorial District, the exercise will take place in selected polling units across Ilesa West, Ilesa East, Oriade and Obokun local government areas.”

INEC also listed Egbedore, Ede North, Ede South and Ejigbo local government areas as the selected councils for the mock accreditation exercise in Osun West Senatorial District.

The commission urged all registered voters whose polling units were selected to participate in the exercise, stressing that only holders of valid Permanent Voter Cards would be accredited.

“This exercise is designed to test the functionality and efficiency of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) under conditions similar to Election Day. There shall be no voting during the exercise,” the commission stated.

INEC reaffirmed its appreciation to residents of Osun State for their continued cooperation and support throughout the electoral process.

INEC also assured political parties, the media, civil society organisations and other stakeholders of the commission’s commitment to conducting a free, fair, credible, transparent and inclusive governorship election in Osun State.

Former media aide to the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bashir Ahmad, has hinted that the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi will defect to another party.

Ahmad said like he did to the Labour Party, LP, Obi would dump the NDC for another party in the build-up to 2031 presidential election.

Posting on X, the former presidential aide said Obi would never stay in a party where he is unable to realize his ambition.

He wrote: “Just like what he did to the Labor Party, Peter Obi will definitely do the same to the NDC.

“Obviously, he will not be able to realize his ambition on the platform, so he will move on to another party in the buildup to the 2031 election.”

The former Anambra State governor had contested the 2023 presidential election on the LP platform.

In December 2025, Obi dumped LP and joined the African Democratic Congress, ADC, due to the leadership crisis in the party.

A few months later, Obi dumped the ADC for the NDC where he emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, with Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate.