Laolu Akande, former spokesperson to ex-Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo, has rejected allegations by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, that the late President Muhammadu Buhari considered Osinbajo’s 2023 presidential ambition immoral and had reservations about his staff appointments.
Akande described Lawal’s claims as fabrications, insisting that Buhari supported Osinbajo’s ambition in 2022 and that the former vice-president’s office maintained an inclusive team representing different regions and religious backgrounds.
In a statement responding to Lawal’s recent interview with Symfoni TV, Akande said he was directly involved in the Office of the Vice-President and witnessed many of the decisions being discussed.
He said his response was necessary to correct the record regarding Osinbajo’s relationship with Buhari and allegations surrounding appointments made during the former vice-president’s tenure.
Buhari Supported Osinbajo’s Presidential Ambition, Akande Says
Akande disputed Lawal’s claim that Buhari considered it “highly immoral and distasteful” for Osinbajo to contest the presidency against Bola Tinubu.
According to Akande, Buhari personally offered to support Osinbajo on at least four occasions.
He quoted the former president as asking the vice-president: “If I don’t support you, who will I support?”
Akande also recalled a Federal Executive Council meeting during the 2022 APC presidential campaign, where Buhari reportedly praised Osinbajo for conducting a dignified, issues-based campaign.
He argued that Buhari’s alleged support and public commendation contradicted Lawal’s account of the former president’s position on Osinbajo’s ambition.
Akande Denies Alleged Memo Containing 28 Names
Akande also rejected Lawal’s account of a memo containing about 28 names of staff members proposed for Osinbajo’s office.
Lawal had alleged that the memo remained unapproved for approximately three months because Buhari was concerned that most of the nominees were Yoruba and members of Osinbajo’s church.
He further claimed that he obtained a photocopy of the memo and personally presented it to Buhari, who allegedly ticked 26 of the 28 names.
Akande, however, said no such memo existed in the form described by Lawal.
He explained that Osinbajo had direct access to Buhari and routinely submitted appointment memos to the president for approval. Approved documents were then passed through the appropriate channels for implementation.
According to Akande, different batches of memos were submitted at different times as the vice-president’s office was being established and government policies evolved.
He also disputed Lawal’s timeline, saying he resumed work in the Office of the Vice-President in June 2015 alongside several other colleagues whose appointments were now being discussed.
Akande maintained that the appointments did not involve a single, oversized list based on ethnicity or religion.
Former Aide Rejects Claims of Church-Based Appointments
Akande further dismissed the allegation that Osinbajo favoured members of his church when making appointments.
He described the former vice-president’s office as an inclusive team comprising Nigerians from different regions and religious backgrounds.
As evidence, Akande cited Ade Ipaye, a Muslim who served as Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, and Special Advisers Maryam Uwais and Ahmad Zakari, whom he also identified as Muslims.
He listed several other officials who served in the office, including professionals responsible for legal affairs, infrastructure, economic management, foreign affairs, social investment, communications and other portfolios.
Akande argued that the composition of the team contradicted the claim that Osinbajo’s appointments were driven primarily by church membership.
Akande Explains How Okey Enelamah Became Minister
Akande also challenged Lawal’s claim that Dr Okey Enelamah became a minister because of his relationship with Osinbajo through the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG).
According to Akande, Enelamah headed a major African private equity firm when he was appointed and had been proposed by two individuals in the financial services industry.
He said the late Abba Kyari, Buhari’s then Chief of Staff, informed Osinbajo that the president wanted to appoint Enelamah.
Akande said he had personally asked Osinbajo about the appointment amid speculation that the former vice-president had nominated Enelamah.
He maintained that Osinbajo told him the decision had come from Buhari.
Board Appointments Were Based on Due Process, Akande Says
Akande also defended decisions Osinbajo made while serving as Acting President during Buhari’s trips abroad.
He said changes to board nominees were made to ensure compliance with legal requirements, including federal character, age limits, qualifications and professional standards.
According to Akande, Buhari was briefed on the changes upon his return and did not object to the corrections.
He maintained that the decisions were guided by due process rather than personal preferences.
Akande Links Lawal’s Allegations to Past Grievances
In his concluding remarks, Akande suggested that Lawal’s allegations might be connected to his removal as SGF.
He recalled that investigations into allegations against Lawal had preceded Osinbajo’s appointment to lead an inquiry into the matter.
Akande also alleged that Lawal had provided evidence that implicated him during the investigation.
He argued that personal grievances could not justify what he described as false allegations against Osinbajo.
Akande maintained that the former vice-president served Buhari loyally for eight years and that the records of his administration were available for public scrutiny.
Chronicle NG reports that the exchange follows Lawal’s interview with Symfoni TV, in which the former SGF alleged that Buhari had reservations about Osinbajo’s presidential ambition and appointments because of his relationship with Tinubu and his preference for people associated with his church.
