Wike alleges Babachir turned against Tinubu after VP slot snub

• Former SGF Babachir Lawal reportedly became critical of Tinubu after being sidelined for vice-president

• Wike says attacks stem from personal grievances, not genuine governance concerns

• Minister urges Nigerians to engage ministers and advisers rather than expect direct access to the President

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has claimed that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, became critical of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after missing out on the vice-presidential slot.

Wike said Lawal’s recent criticisms are rooted in personal disappointment rather than sincere concern for governance. He recounted that Lawal had expected to be considered for the vice-presidential position but “let loose” when that ambition did not materialise.

“When Mr President chose his vice-presidential candidate, I was one of those Babachir Lawal visited. He came to my house in Port Harcourt. What was his anger? His anger was that he thought Mr President would have chosen him as the vice-presidential candidate. Having not done that, he let loose,” Wike said.

The FCT Minister described Lawal’s comments as disrespectful and advised that grievances should be addressed directly to the President.

He added that governance is a collective responsibility, urging citizens to communicate with ministers and special advisers instead of expecting direct access to Tinubu.

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Wike emphasised the importance of engagement at all levels of government, stating, “If everybody in this country refuses to reach out to ministers or special advisers and just wants to see Mr President, how many people can he attend to at a time? I am the minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory. Must everybody reach Mr President? Is that the way the government runs?”

He further expressed disappointment in Lawal, noting past respect for him had been misplaced.

Wike criticised Lawal’s recent remarks describing the President as “full of himself” and using his first name rather than his title, stressing that such comments were unwarranted.