Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Babachir Lawal has alleged that his close relationship with then President Muhammadu Buhari and his assertive political style contributed to the political undertones surrounding the 2017 grass-cutting scandal that led to his removal from office.
Speaking in an interview, Lawal recalled his personal rapport with then Senate President Bukola Saraki during the period of the controversy. “The Senate President was close to me. At my house we sometimes drink tea together, and he would say, ‘This thing is not me. It is from your people back home,’” he said.
Lawal recounted how he responded to Saraki’s remark at the time. “So I said, ‘I know now, my brother, what’s your problem?’” he stated.
The former SGF said the real turning point was the perception within political circles that he was both influential and unyielding in defending his positions. “The only clincher here is this: Everybody knew I was too close to the president, and I was—of course my character now is I don’t take last, I push, I demand my positions and things like that,” he noted.
While the allegations prompted his eventual removal, Lawal has consistently maintained that the charges were politically motivated and not based on evidence of wrongdoing. He has argued that the episode reflected deeper political rivalries and resistance to his influence within the government.
