Why Babachir Lawal Has Been Attacking Tinubu – Wike

FCT Minister Nyesom Wike on Tuesday explained why former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has been critical of President Bola Tinubu. Speaking on Channels Television’s *Politics Today*, Wike said Lawal’s attacks stemmed from frustration over Tinubu’s selection of Kashim Shettima as his running mate in the 2023 elections, contrary to Lawal’s expectations.

Wike revealed that Lawal visited him at his Port Harcourt residence shortly after the announcement, visibly upset that he was not chosen as vice president. “After President Tinubu chose Shettima as his VP, Babachir Lawal came to my house in Port Harcourt. He was angry because he thought the president would pick him,” Wike said.

The minister also addressed claims that Tinubu’s administration is unapproachable, emphasizing that governance is a team effort. He urged Nigerians to engage ministers and presidential special advisers rather than expecting direct access to the President. “If everybody in this country refuses to reach out to ministers or special advisers and just wants to see Mr President, how many people can he attend to at a time?” Wike asked.

Wike highlighted the government’s successes in combating terrorism, noting praise from the United States and United Kingdom for Nigeria’s security agencies. He acknowledged that Nigerians are facing economic difficulties, particularly following the removal of fuel subsidies, but insisted the sacrifices were necessary for long-term reforms.

The minister also responded to criticism from opposition figures, including his former Rivers State counterpart, Rotimi Amaechi. Wike accused Amaechi of lacking moral authority to speak on corruption, citing unresolved judicial cases and alleged mismanagement of state projects during his tenure. “Our gas provider, 380 million US dollars, he sold it to the Sahara. Where is the money? He spent 30 million US dollars on Kalibu Heart Hospital. Where is the foundation of the hospital? He spent N74 billion on the monorail. Where is the monorail?” Wike asked.

On Amaechi’s presidential ambitions for 2027 under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Wike dismissed them as unviable. He argued that Amaechi, who lost to Tinubu in the 2022 APC primary and later defected to the ADC, would not secure the party’s ticket for the next election.