Former SGF Babachir Lawal says late President Muhammadu Buhari found it difficult to manage Yorubas and sought to use him for that role. Lawal also says Buhari later “threw him under the bus,” though the two later reconciled.
Lawal made the claims in an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday night. He says Buhari’s interest in using him followed his relationship with President Bola Tinubu and with Bisi Akande, described as a founding chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC). In the interview, Lawal says Buhari still reached out to him and they discussed issues, which he characterizes as continuing personal rapport.
Both outlets also provide background on Lawal’s time in office and removal. Buhari appointed Lawal as SGF on August 27, 2015; Lawal served until October 30, 2017. He was suspended on April 19, 2017, after a Senate investigation into a “grass cutting” contract involving funds linked to the Northeast humanitarian response. The Senate ad-hoc committee accused him of abusing his office and awarding contracts through PINE, which he led, and later Buhari terminated his appointment and replaced him with Boss Mustapha.
