Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, says President Bola Tinubu was a good man before he became president.
Lawal made this assertion during a programme on Symfoni TV.

According to him, President Tinubu was a good listener, who would do whatever it takes to solve any problem one took to him.

Lawal claimed that Tinubu suddenly changed when he became president, alleging that he was introduced to religious bigots.

“President Tinubu was an excellent human being before he became president. If you’re in a problem, he’ll go to whatever length to solve it. He was a good listener, took advice, and was kind. I used to liken him to Buhari because he was also very kind and sympathetic to people.

“He was an excellent human being, but he went on to become president, and something happened. I know the time he changed, and I told him. Around 2022, Tinubu relocated to Abuja to pursue his presidential ambition, and our people, the northerners who were his friends, surrounded him, and he was caged.

“They introduced him to religious bigots who claimed they knew Buhari, and that was when he started changing. I had access to him then in Abuja.

“He’s someone you can like. Bola has given some people a stupendous amount of money to help them out of crises without expecting anything. But the thing about Tinubu is that he has a gift. He can see your future returns in advance. He does things like that.

“He was a good man at that time, but he has lost his soul now. He’s someone who’s in charge all the time, but he doesn’t look in charge anymore as long as he gets his own share of whatever he’s looking for. The rest they can loot however they want. I wish he could go back to what he was before. Nigeria will be great,” he said.

Former Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, VON, Osita Okechukwu, on Sunday urged the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Joash Amupitan, to focus on ensuring a free, fair, and credible election, stressing that credible elections remain the strongest antidote to intra-party impunity.

Okechukwu made the remark in response to the INEC Chairman’s recent call on political parties to adhere strictly to the principles of internal democracy during a courtesy visit to former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger State.

In a statement he signed, the foundational member of the All Progressives Congress, APC, said the INEC Chairman has consistently emphasised the issue of internal democracy, having made similar remarks in Akwa Ibom in March 2026 and again in Abuja in June 2026.

He said: “Whereas one agrees with the Chairman that strict observance of internal democracy within political parties is of paramount importance; the greatest incentive for political parties to uphold internal democracy is the consistent conduct of free, fair, and transparent elections by INEC.”

He argued that political scientists have long maintained that political parties are more likely to respect democratic principles and popular will when electoral processes are credible and transparent.

“Political party leaders will do everything within the ambit of the law to keep their houses in order and present the most acceptable and popular candidates when they are confident that elections will be free and fair.

“In such circumstances, they are compelled to obey the wishes of the electorate. However, when elections are perceived as lacking transparency, internal party conflicts and impunity are more likely to thrive,” he said.

Okechukwu also dismissed claims by other political parties that INEC is a hand-gun in the area of ensuring free and fair elections.

He said that APC needs free and fair elections as core patriots who are committed to the genuine growth of the country’s fledgling democracy and overall progress of every Nigerian.

“Certainly not,” he said. “I dismiss the handgun allegation; APC needs free and fair elections, not only for legitimacy with our 31 state governors, but for the genuine growth of our fledgling democracy and overall good governance.”

He maintained that the APC remains a formidable political force and that credible elections would ultimately strengthen Nigeria’s democratic institutions and political parties alike.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Osun, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to introduce a more effective and citizen-friendly framework for the collection of Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, ahead of the governorship election in the state.

Oyintiloye also urged the electorate not to be discouraged by the cumbersome PVC collection process, encouraging those yet to collect their cards to do so and turn out en masse to vote peacefully for the candidates of their choice.

The former lawmaker, who spoke with journalists on Sunday in Osogbo, said the current process has subjected many eligible voters to unnecessary hardship during collection.

He noted that simplifying the PVC collection process will boost voter turnout and enable more citizens exercise their constitutional rights during the election.

He also told voters not to submit themselves to fear due to the reports of intimidation.

“No individual or group should be allowed to undermine the democratic process through acts capable of causing panic or discouraging lawful participation in the election,” he said.

Oyintiloye called on security agencies “to remain vigilant and professional in safeguarding lives and property before, during and after the poll.”

He urged them to ensure that anyone engaging in violence, intimidation or any act capable of disrupting the electoral process is brought to justice.

On the prospects of the APC in the poll, Oyintiloye expressed optimism that the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, AMBO, would emerge victorious, citing widespread acceptance and support across the state.

He said the goodwill and enthusiasm shown by residents indicated strong confidence in the APC candidate. “The party is on course for victory.”

Oyintiloye who maintained that the journey back to government has commenced for APC, expressed confidence that voters would democratically elect Oyebamiji as the next governor of the state.