Babachir turned against Tinubu after missing VP slot — Wike

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, of turning against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu out of personal disappointment after being overlooked for the vice-presidential slot in 2023.

Wike made this claim during an interview on Channels Television, suggesting that Lawal’s recent criticisms of Tinubu stem more from personal grievances than genuine concerns about governance.

Wike disclosed that Lawal visited him in Port Harcourt shortly after Tinubu announced Kashim Shettima as his running mate.

According to Wike, Lawal expressed anger and frustration over not being chosen for the position.

“When Mr. President chose his vice-presidential candidate, Babachir Lawal came to my house in Port Harcourt. His anger was that he thought Mr. President would have chosen him. Having not done that, he let loose”, Wike explained.

The minister dismissed Lawal’s recent attacks on Tinubu’s administration as disrespectful and unfounded, particularly Lawal’s claim that Tinubu is “full of himself.”

Wike criticized Lawal’s choice of words, saying, “It is really unfortunate. A man will come out on national television not to genuinely criticize what Mr. President has done wrong, but to accuse him simply because he had a previous relationship with him. That does not give him the latitude to call the President ‘Bola’ instead of addressing him properly.”

Wike admitted that he once respected Lawal but expressed disappointment in his behavior, stating: “There are people I have had respect for, but you realize you’re holding them in high esteem for nothing. I never knew Babachir Lawal is not a man you can take for his words.”

On Lawal’s criticism that Tinubu’s government is “unapproachable,” Wike defended the administration, emphasizing that governance is a collective effort.

He argued that Nigerians should engage ministers and advisers instead of expecting direct access to the President.

“Must everybody see the President? Is that how government works? If you have an issue concerning the FCT, have you tried reaching out to the FCT minister? Governance is about teamwork”, Wike said.

Lawal, a vocal critic of the administration, has also faulted Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly the removal of the fuel subsidy in 2023, claiming it has yet to deliver benefits to Nigerians and alleging that subsidies are still being secretly paid.

However, Wike maintained that Lawal’s grievances are rooted in personal disappointment rather than genuine policy concerns, urging him to address his issues with Tinubu privately instead of resorting to public outbursts.