Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership style, claiming the President has abandoned the inclusive approach that characterised his time as governor of Lagos State.
Speaking during a viral online interview, Lawal said he had expected Tinubu to replicate the leadership style he displayed in Lagos after becoming President but believes the administration has taken a different direction.
Questioning what he described as a major shift in governance, Lawal said:
“Where is the Tinubu we knew? Where is the governor we knew then?”
He further alleged that the President had moved from being “Bola the democrat” to “Bola the dictator.”
Reflecting on Tinubu’s years as Lagos governor, Lawal said the former governor built an inclusive cabinet that accommodated people from different ethnic backgrounds, regardless of where they came from.
“When he was governor, Rauf Aregbesola was Commissioner for Works from Osun and there were others. I think there was even a Hausa man in the cabinet and an Igbo man was there,” he said.
According to the former SGF, Tinubu’s performance in Lagos had convinced many Nigerians that he possessed the experience needed to govern a diverse country like Nigeria.
However, Lawal said he became disappointed after Tinubu assumed office as President, alleging that federal appointments and development projects are now concentrated around Lagos and individuals closely associated with the President.
“But suddenly he comes to Abuja and all he sees is Yoruba. And even in Yoruba, all he sees is Lagos. Even in Lagos, all he sees is the people he worked with before. So what happens to the rest of us?” he asked.
Lawal also claimed that a significant portion of federal infrastructure projects has been directed towards Lagos.
“All infrastructure, 80 per cent now is only Lagos. Everything is Lagos,” he alleged.
He further accused the administration of using state institutions and other groups to weaken opposition political parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, alleging that efforts are being made to create a one-party political system.
“His weaponisation of agents, either state agents or shadow groups, destabilising opposition political parties, trying to force one-party state coordination next year rather than having competition,” he alleged.
Speaking on the judiciary, Lawal claimed the institution has become less independent in its dealings with the executive arm of government.
“I think the judiciary has allowed itself to be surrendered to government,” he said.
He also reflected on his time as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, saying that although government positions were sometimes communicated on court cases, judicial decisions were ultimately left to the courts.
The Presidency has not publicly responded to Lawal’s remarks at the time of filing this report.
Source: Viral online interview with Babachir Lawal.
