Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal says late former President Muhammadu Buhari did not openly support President Bola Tinubu during the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary ahead of Nigeria’s 2023 general election. Both outlets report Lawal’s account that Buhari was initially reluctant to back Tinubu, citing concerns about Tinubu’s suitability. The reports frame Lawal’s explanation as an effort to clarify why Buhari’s support was not publicly expressed during the internal party contest. While the coverage emphasizes that Buhari ultimately did not provide open backing at the primary stage, it also attributes the hesitation to ethical considerations raised by Lawal on Buhari’s behalf. The articles do not present additional substantiating details beyond Lawal’s claims, and they focus primarily on the rationale given for Buhari’s public posture rather than on specific events or statements from Buhari or Tinubu. Overall, the story centers on Lawal’s remarks about Buhari’s decision-making during the 2023 APC primary and the reasons he says were behind the lack of overt support.