If I were in TINUBU’s government, I probably would have been sacked or killed a long time ago - BABACHIR LAWAL

Tuesday, August 12, 2025 - Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) under late president Muhammadu Buhari, has openly criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, declaring that he could not have served under the current government.

Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Lawal said he would not have coped as a member of Tinubu’s cabinet, adding that he would have resigned if appointed.

The ex-SGF, who has been outspoken on national issues since leaving office, did not mince words in expressing his disapproval of the administration’s style of governance.

“I thank God that I didn’t make the mistake of being in this government ab initio,” Lawal said.

“If I were in this government, I probably would have been sacked a long time ago, killed or resigned.”

Lawal said he was at ease with Tinubu’s style of governance but accused the President’s administration of nepotism, pointing to the appointments made under his leadership.

“I cannot go to a meeting in which 99 per cent of the participants are Yoruba. The tendency is that they finish the meeting in their language, and I am just sitting there.

“When we were doing the campaign, after he went to Ogun and said ’emi lokan,’ there was a Bola Tinubu platform in which I was participating.

“They started insulting us, saying that northerners are illiterate. So I wrote on that platform that these are the people whose votes we would need.

“The problem with the Yoruba is that when you support them and they win, they behave as if they have subdued you. They will not count your support,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Ex-SGF criticised some of President Tinubu’s economic policies, particularly lamenting the country’s rising inflation.

Lawal pointed to the removal of fuel subsidy in May 2023, noting that Nigerians were yet to feel any benefits from the decision. 

He alleged that, despite the President’s announcement, the government was still secretly paying subsidies.

The ADC chieftain also commented on the 2023 presidential election, claiming it was rigged in favour of the APC.

However, when asked who he believed was the rightful winner, he replied, “Peter Obi won that election.”