HEADLINE
Why Buhari Didn’t Openly Support Tinubu in 2023 APC Primary — Ex-SGF Babachir
OPENING HOOK
Political realignments in Nigeria often run on deep calculations, but sometimes the most telling move is a leader's deliberate silence.
WHAT HAPPENED
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, disclosed that former President Muhammadu Buhari maintained strict neutrality during the 2023 ruling party primary elections because of internal ethical boundaries. Speaking on the dynamics within the All Progressives Congress, Lawal explained that despite expectations from various political camps, the former Nigerian leader chose not to openly back Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who eventually clinched the presidential ticket and the presidency under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
WHO ARE THE KEY PLAYERS
Babachir Lawal is a veteran Nigerian politician and a former federal cabinet secretary who served under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Muhammadu Buhari is the former leader of Nigeria who steered the country for two terms from 2015 to 2023. Bola Ahmed Tinubu is the current President of Nigeria, having won the fiercely contested 2023 general election under the platform of the APC, the major political party that brought both men to national prominence.
UNDERSTANDING THE LOCATION
Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, serves as the central hub where high-stakes political negotiations, party primaries, and executive decisions take place. As the seat of power, it is where party caucuses and presidential aspirants lock horns to secure political backing before facing the wider electorate across the nation's six geopolitical zones.
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Ahead of the 2023 national elections, the ruling APC faced intense internal pressure over zoning arrangements and succession. Incumbent presidents in Nigeria historically wield enormous influence over party machinery, often anointing a successor. However, the build-up to the 2023 convention featured multiple heavyweights vying for the ticket, creating a delicate situation for the presidential office regarding neutrality and party cohesion.
EXPLAINING IMPORTANT REFERENCES
The All Progressives Congress is one of the dominant political parties in Nigeria, formed through a major merger of opposition parties ahead of the 2015 general election. A party primary is an internal democratic or consensus-driven process where registered members select their official flagbearer for national offices like the presidency, governorship, and legislative seats before the general polls.
IMPACT ANALYSIS
Lawal's revelations offer a rare window into the delicate power balances within Nigeria's ruling political structure. While critics often view a leader's neutrality as weakness or indifference, insiders see it as a pragmatic tool to prevent the total fracture of a diverse coalition party during a critical transition period.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT
As political actors begin positioning themselves for future electoral cycles, inside accounts like Lawal's will continue to shape how political historians evaluate the legacy of the 2023 transition. Observers will watch how current political figures manage party primaries and internal consensus building ahead of subsequent national ballots.
HERO PERSPECTIVE
Former SGF Babachir Lawal explicitly cited ethical boundaries and the avoidance of executive overreach as the primary reasons Muhammadu Buhari avoided a public endorsement during the 2023 APC presidential primary. This inside account underscores how Nigeria's electoral framework and internal party dynamics force incumbent leaders to navigate a fine line between personal loyalties and institutional neutrality. Understanding these historical constraints provides essential clarity on how political power is transferred within the ruling party.
CLOSING
The revelations by Babachir Lawal add critical historical perspective to the internal machinations of Nigerian party politics, highlighting the fine balance required to manage diverse political interests during a high-stakes democratic transition.