Buhari found it difficult to manage Yorubas, threw me under the bus – Babachir Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has shared his recollection of President Muhammadu Buhari's struggle to manage the Yoruba region during his tenure. In an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Lawal stated that Buhari attempted to engage Lawal in this task due to his strong ties with President Bola Tinubu and a prominent APC chieftain, Bisi Akande.

Despite Lawal's efforts, Buhari ultimately abandoned him, but they later restored their relationship, with Buhari occasionally seeking Lawal's opinion on various matters. Lawal served as SGF from August 27, 2015, to October 30, 2017, until he was suspended following a Senate investigation into a contract scandal known as the "grass cutting."

Eventually, Buhari terminated Lawal's appointment in October 2017 and appointed Boss Mustapha as his replacement. The controversy centered around alleged misuse of funds meant for a humanitarian crisis in Nigeria's Northeast, with Lawal directing the funds to his company, Global Vision Limited.