Nigeria’s former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has reignited debate over the country’s disputed 2023 presidential election, insisting that Labour Party flagbearer Peter Obi was the rightful winner.
In an interview with Channels Television’s Politics Today, Lawal, now a senior figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC), claimed that his political network collected on-the-ground data proving Obi’s victory. “We had the figures from our agents in the field. We know where the results were tampered with,” he alleged.
While standing by his assertion, Lawal acknowledged that political realities had evolved since last year. “The circumstances have changed. The benchmarks used to assess candidates in 2023 will not be the same in 2027,” he said.
On the question of 2027, Lawal argued that power should rest with a leader capable of ensuring justice and inclusivity for all Nigerians. He suggested that northern political elites would support a candidate who prioritises their region’s interests — ideally from the ADC. He further asserted that only by controlling the “instruments of power and coercion” could Nigeria decisively tackle insecurity, including insurgency and banditry.
The former ruling party official disclosed that he is part of the Nigerian People’s Consultative Political Forum (North) — a coalition of prominent northern politicians outside government — which is seeking to consolidate regional unity and vote as a bloc in the next general election.
Lawal also reflected on his political journey, saying his dismissal under Muhammadu Buhari was partly due to efforts to undermine his close ties to the then-president. Regarding his strained relationship with President Tinubu, he remarked: “He believes I wronged him, but it is the other way round.”
Amid speculation about his own political ambitions, Lawal quipped that he is “not electable,” adding: “Even my wife wouldn’t vote for me.”
