Buhari’s Backing Not Required to Defeat Tinubu, Says Babachir Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has dismissed attempts by some political figures to seek the endorsement of former President Muhammadu Buhari, describing such moves as misguided and unnecessary. Speaking in an exclusive interview with *The PUNCH*, Lawal said loyalists of President Bola Tinubu and some ex-members of the defunct Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) are “busy chasing shadows” in their quest to win Buhari’s support.

Lawal, a founding member of the CPC and a prominent figure in the emerging opposition coalition involving Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi, and Nasir El-Rufai, asserted that true CPC loyalists are committed to protecting the interests of the underprivileged—an ethos, he says, the Tinubu administration has betrayed.

“These guys have given us a reason to come against them because the CPC is a Talakawa Movement,” he said. “It’s a movement that stands for the poor and vulnerable. This government appears to have no empathy for the underprivileged. It is as if the sight of a poor person annoys them.”

He maintained that any genuine CPC member would naturally be compelled to challenge the current government, which he accused of inflicting widespread suffering and marginalisation. According to him, this is a betrayal of the values once championed by Buhari.

On whether Buhari had endorsed the opposition alliance, Lawal firmly rejected the suggestion. “We don’t need his blessing. We are mature, intelligent people. Even if Buhari offers to join us, it is our duty to tell him to stay away. He is part of this government and should remain there until he’s ready to step aside,” he said.

Lawal also took aim at certain former CPC members, accusing them of abandoning the party’s ideals for personal gain. He singled out former Minister of Communications Adebayo Shittu and ex-Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura, labeling them as “black sheep” within the legacy CPC ranks.

Shittu had recently dismissed the CPC as a “dead horse” during an appearance on Channels Television, calling Lawal and others “mischief makers.” He insisted he remained loyal to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and saw no justification for defecting.

In response, Lawal questioned the loyalty of some CPC members, saying they had joined the party for selfish reasons. “We know not everyone can withstand hunger. Some people came into CPC hoping for appointments. Those who can’t handle hunger or injustice are free to leave. After all, there are still positions up for grabs in this government,” he said.

Efforts to get reactions from Abubakar Malami and Al-Makura were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.