Babachir drops fresh bombshell on Buhari, Tinubu APC’s 2015 alliance

Fresh claims by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, have cast renewed attention on the political calculations that shaped the formation of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the historic 2015 general election.

In an interview with Symfoni TV released on Saturday, Lawal alleged that late former President Muhammadu Buhari had long been aware of concerns surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s background before the opposition coalition was formed, but nevertheless accepted Tinubu’s political support because of its strategic importance to the APC’s quest for power.

The allegations, which have not been independently verified, offer a rare insider account of discussions within the APC leadership during one of Nigeria’s most significant political realignments. At the time of filing this report, there was no public response from President Tinubu or representatives of the late former President Buhari regarding Lawal’s assertions.

Claims of Prior Intelligence

According to Lawal, Buhari had access to intelligence briefings concerning Tinubu long before both men became political allies under the APC.

He alleged that the reports touched on issues relating to Tinubu’s upbringing, genealogy and educational background.

Lawal claimed these matters occasionally resurfaced in Buhari’s private conversations after the APC came to power.

“So anytime Buhari would complain about the man (Tinubu), I bring up the history and Buhari, being a man of conscience, would agree,” Lawal said.

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Pressed during the interview to clarify the nature of Buhari’s reservations, Lawal alleged that the former president had prior knowledge of issues that have long featured in public debate about Tinubu.

“The complaints everybody has. Buhari was a president before he became another president. He had access to intelligence about Tinubu’s upbringing, about his lack of clear genealogy, his education. He knew everything,” Lawal stated.

The claims remain allegations made by Lawal during the interview and have not been independently corroborated.

The Politics Behind the APC Merger

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Lawal argued that despite the alleged intelligence concerns, Buhari and other opposition leaders deliberately sought Tinubu’s cooperation because of his political influence ahead of the 2015 elections.

The APC emerged from the merger of several opposition parties, including the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and a faction of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

Tinubu, then one of the country’s most influential opposition figures, played a central role in forging the coalition that ultimately defeated the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Lawal suggested that Buhari acknowledged knowing about the alleged concerns before the alliance was formed.

“I said, sir, before we went into this merger, before we went into looking for his support… We knew these things, don’t you?”

According to Lawal, Buhari answered in the affirmative.

A Moral Argument

Beyond politics, Lawal said he challenged Buhari on what he viewed as the ethical implications of accepting support from someone whose background was allegedly already known.

He argued that it was inconsistent to embrace Tinubu’s political backing during the campaign and later criticize him on grounds that were allegedly already understood.

“So, but yet we asked for his support, and he gave it to us wholeheartedly… So how come now suddenly he has become evil?” Lawal recalled asking Buhari.

Drawing from his Christian faith, Lawal said he also framed the issue as a question of personal integrity.

“I don’t think it’s Islamic, but certainly for me as a Christian, it’s un-Christian-like to bite the finger that fed you.”

He added that, in his view, if Buhari had genuinely believed Tinubu was unsuitable, he should have declined his political support before the APC merger rather than accepting it.

Old Questions, New Political Debate

Lawal’s comments have revived longstanding public discussions surrounding Tinubu’s personal history—issues that have periodically surfaced in political campaigns and legal challenges over the years.

Successive court proceedings and electoral contests have addressed some of these controversies, while others have remained matters of political debate rather than judicial determination.

His latest remarks also reopen broader questions about the compromises and strategic alliances that often shape coalition politics in Nigeria, particularly during periods of major political transition.