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2023 APC primary: Why Buhari didn’t openly support Tinubu – Babachir Lawal

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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.’”




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2027: Ogun guber race must be about credibility not cash, popularity – PDP Assembly candidate

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The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, candidate for Abeokuta South State Constituency II, Adeoye Adewale Adeniran, has said the 2027 governorship election in Ogun State should not be decided by political popularity or financial influence, but by credibility, honesty, competence and commitment to public service.

Adeoye made the call at the weekend while addressing PDP members in Ward 14, Onikolobo, urging voters to look beyond billboards, rallies and vote-buying.

He asserted that Ogun residents must examine the character and track record of those seeking to lead the state, referencing recent concerns raised by the party’s senatorial candidate for Ogun Central, Iyabo Obasanjo.

Recall that Obasanjo had questioned the integrity of APC governorship candidate, Solomon Adeola, aka Yayi.

Adeoye said the assertion that Adeola “lacks integrity” and “breaks trust” should not be dismissed as ordinary political rhetoric but treated as a serious concern raised by someone who had first-hand political dealings with him.

He also argued that the allegations should be viewed alongside the controversies surrounding the 2026 Federal Budget, where several civil society organisations, policy analysts and opposition voices questioned alleged budget padding, off-mandate projects, duplication of allocations and constituency projects inserted into agencies outside their statutory responsibilities.

“The people of Ogun must pay close attention when an experienced public servant like Senator Iyabo Obasanjo raises concerns about character and integrity. These are not issues that should be dismissed with kid gloves or viewed as mere campaign exchanges.

” Leadership begins with character and integrity remains the foundation upon which public trust is built,” Adeoye stated.

The PDP candidate linked the debate to national governance, citing public concerns over the 2026 Federal Budget and the role of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

“As chairman of that committee, Senator Adeola occupied a position that determines how Nigerians’ money is spent. Anytime questions are raised about transparency in budgeting, citizens deserve clear answers,” he stated.

Adeoye argued that elections determined by money and popularity have produced leaders who fail to deliver, saying “We cannot continue to recycle people who are causing our pains. Ogun people deserve leaders whose promises can be trusted and whose records show consistency.”

He argued that the party’s governorship candidate, Oladipupo Adebutu, is as an example of service-driven leadership, citing his humanitarian interventions and community development projects across Ogun as verifiable proof of commitment.

Adeoye however, pledged to champion legislation that prioritizes the people, urging voters across Abeokuta South and the entire state to resist vote-selling.

“Money given today will cost us dearly tomorrow. 2027 must be about competence, honesty and service. Character is not negotiable if we want a better Ogun,” he added.




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2027: Obasanjo favours Peter Obi, Atiku will be President if destined – Dele Momodu

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Ahead of the 2027 elections, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Dele Momodu, has declared that the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, is not the preferred choice of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

Momodu said indications are showing that Obasanjo is favourably disposed towards the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Speaking on News Central TV on Monday, the former presidential candidate also disclosed that Atiku will be President if he is destined to be.

The veteran journalist also said the outcome of the 2027 presidential election would be determined by Nigerians’ assessment of the All Progressives Congress, APC, administration’s performance rather than divisions within the opposition.

He said: “The truth here is that President Obasanjo never prosecuted Atiku, we all knew what led to their beef. It’s a political season and everybody has their strategies and from what I have read and heard from impeccable sources it’s obvious that Obasanjo might be supporting former governor Peter Obi-Kwankwaso ticket.

“I read somewhere yesterday where my friend, Osuntokun said Obasanjo is the main sponsor of that ticket. If Atiku is destined to be President of Nigeria, no force will be able to stop it.

“So we are watching and it’s obvious that Atiku is not Obasanjo’s favourite candidate, I thought the issue has been laid to rest in 2019 because there is a video in circulation where Obasanjo described Atiku as the President to be, so I don’t know what resurrected that bitter feud between both of them.”




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Osun: Pack your belongings out of govt house before it’s too late – MURIC to Adeleke

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‎Muslim Rights Concern, MURIC, has told Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to start packing his belongings out of the Government House before it is too late.

MURIC noted that this is necessary due to the fact the people of the state have rejected him.

The organisation spoke in a statement signed by its Executive Director, Professor Isiaq Akintola on Monday.

Akintola alleged that the governor deceived the people of Osun State, noting that the recently commissioned flyover in Osogbo has been damaged just three weeks after its commissioning.

Akintola also stated that the governor turned his administration to a government of the people of Ede, his hometown.

He further condemned the governor for what he described as poor handling of local government affairs in the state.

“As preparations for the gubernatorial election in Osun on 15th August, 2026
‎enter top gear, we remind Governor Ademola Adeleke to start packing his dancing kits out of Oke-Fia Government House before it is too late.

‎”For the flyover damaged after three weeks, for the alleged ‘edenisation’ of governance, for alleged mishandling of local government affairs, alleged examination malpractice, etc, we can’t look away.

‎”Governor Adeleke has crossed the Rubicon. He will be roundly defeated in the coming gubernatorial election in Osun on 15th August, 2026. That will be his punishment for playing on the intelligence of Osun Muslims,” the statement said.




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