Key Takeaways
- Former SGF Babachir Lawal prefers President Bola Tinubu over Atiku Abubakar for the 2027 presidency.
- Lawal claims an Atiku presidency would result in a "chaotic crash" for Nigeria, while Tinubu's would be "orderly."
- He cited Atiku's alleged character flaws and inconsistent decision-making as reasons for his opposition.
- Lawal revealed Atiku attempted to persuade Peter Obi to be his running mate for 2027, proposing a single six-year term and rotational presidency.
- Peter Obi reportedly declined the offer, citing survey data indicating a low probability of winning with Atiku.
In a candid and revealing interview, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has ignited fresh debate ahead of the 2027 presidential election by declaring his preference for President Bola Tinubu over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Lawal, a prominent political figure known for his outspoken views, asserted that an Atiku presidency would plunge Nigeria into a "chaotic crash," a fate he believes could be avoided under Tinubu's leadership, even if it meant an "orderly crash."
Lawal's remarks, made during an appearance on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, shed light on the intricate political maneuvering already underway for the next electoral cycle. He explained his strong opposition to Atiku's presidential ambition, stating unequivocally, "I'd rather go with Bola than Atiku because when Nigeria crashes with Bola, it might be an orderly crash, but with Atiku it would be a chaotic one." When pressed for clarification on his stark assessment, Lawal simply responded, "Because he's not a good man."
The former SGF elaborated that his stance is deeply rooted in his past professional interactions with Atiku. Despite initially considering support for the former vice president due to the escalating challenges faced by northern Nigeria, Lawal's experience working alongside Atiku ultimately swayed his opinion. "I wanted to work for Atiku. I had the belief that the North, the way we are suffering, we should not surrender the presidency, that at least our own man will not, if nothing else, stop the decline we are in," he recounted.
However, Lawal's perspective shifted dramatically. He alleged that Atiku's leadership style was characterized by inconsistency and disorganization. "Everything you do with him, there's chaos," Lawal claimed, detailing instances where Atiku would issue instructions only to reverse them after consulting other individuals. He further alleged that disagreements over political appointments frequently contributed to this confusion, with decisions reached in private often being altered following external interventions.
The Atiku-Obi 2027 Proposal
Perhaps the most startling revelation from Lawal's interview concerned a proposed political alliance for the 2027 election. Lawal disclosed that Atiku had approached him to persuade former Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, to accept the position of running mate. According to Lawal, Atiku's proposition included serving a single term, followed by a constitutional amendment to establish a six-year single presidential term. Furthermore, Atiku allegedly proposed that the presidential rotation should subsequently commence with the South-East and North-Central zones.
Lawal, leveraging his existing relationship with Obi, presented the offer to the former Anambra governor. However, Obi reportedly declined the proposed arrangement. "He says his survey shows him that they are unlikely to win if he pairs with Atiku,\