Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has spoken about his relationship with the late former President Muhammadu Buhari and his role in managing political contacts during the administration.
Lawal said Buhari relied on his relationships with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former All Progressives Congress (APC) national chairman, Bisi Akande, when dealing with political figures from the Yoruba community.
Speaking during an interview with ARISE TV, the former SGF said Buhari believed his connections could help facilitate political relationships with Yoruba leaders.
According to Lawal: “Buhari never let me go, he threw me under the bus but we later became okay. He would call me and we will gist, he will ask me what I think about this and that.
“There was still clearly some sort of human relationship. Somehow there is an unwritten relationship between us and Buhari.
“It seems like it’s because of my relationship with Bola and Bisi Akande that he could use me to manage the Yorubas whom he found difficult to manage and of course I tried my best.”
Lawal said he made efforts to play the role assigned to him, despite differences that later emerged between him and the former President.
He also recalled his removal as SGF, saying Buhari did not stand by him during the difficult period that followed and that he was left to deal with the consequences.
Lawal served as SGF under Buhari from 2015 until his suspension in 2017 before his eventual removal from office in October of the same year.
The former SGF recently joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) and expressed support for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Leave feedback about this