Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), during an interview with The Punch correspondent, addressed several issues including his concerns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the objectives of the coalition involving Atiku Abubakar and Nasir El-Rufai, and internal rifts within the CPC bloc.
When questioned about speculation that the coalition intended to field a southern presidential candidate to serve a single four-year term if victorious in the 2027 elections, Lawal stated that he was not aware of any such discussions. He clarified that he had not attended any coalition meetings where potential candidates were discussed. According to him, the coalition’s goal was to form a political party that would conduct a national convention to democratically elect its presidential flag-bearer. He explained that the eventual candidate could be from either the South or the North, depending on the outcome of that process.
When he was commenting on the position of the Vice-president, Lawal said, “Which Vice President ? Even in our time, during Muhammadu Buhari’s regime, the Vice President was representing the President in many things. Tinubu’s Vice President (Kashim Shettima), is just busy attending weddings, and probably condolence visits. I have not seen him do anything different from that.”
Further talking, he said, “He does not do anything. I have not heard him representing the President at big conferences or occasions. If I were him, I would’ve graciously, and honourably left the job. That position is a spare tyre. But in his case, it’s a flat spare tyre.
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