Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu played a decisive role in the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and personally financed key aspects of the 2015 presidential campaign that brought the late former President Muhammadu Buhari to power.
Speaking during an interview on Symfoni TV, Lawal said Tinubu shelved his own presidential ambition to unite the opposition and ensure the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was defeated in the 2015 general election.
According to Lawal, Buhari asked him to help facilitate talks between the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and Tinubu’s Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) because of his close relationship with the current president.
Lawal recalled Tinubu telling him that removing the PDP from power was more important than pursuing his personal ambition, adding that the decision paved the way for the successful merger that produced the APC.
He also claimed Tinubu was instrumental in securing crucial South-West support for Buhari during the APC presidential primary after reviewing delegates’ voting strength.
Lawal further alleged that Tinubu financed major parts of the APC’s 2015 presidential campaign from his personal resources, including campaign activities for then vice-presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.
He said Tinubu also hired American political consultants linked to former US President Barack Obama, claiming more than ₦2 billion was spent on the consultants to strengthen the party’s campaign strategy.
Despite praising Tinubu’s contributions before he became president, Lawal criticised the current administration, describing it as a failure and alleging that those in government now prioritise personal interests over the country’s welfare.
