{
  "id": 15181659,
  "title": "Buhari wanted Osinbajo as president, ex-spokesman counters Babachir Lawal",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/buhari-wanted-osinbajo-as-president-ex-spokesman-counters-babachir",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-17T11:26:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/buhari-wanted-osinbajo-as-president-ex-spokesman-counters-babachir-lawal/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former spokesperson to former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Laolu Akande, has refuted claims made by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal. According to Akande, President Muhammadu Buhari offered to support Osinbajo's 2022 presidential ambition on four separate occasions, contradicting Lawal's assertion that Buhari would have considered it immoral. Akande also refuted Lawal's claims that Buhari would have found Osinbajo's decision to contest against President Bola Tinubu unorthodox, stating that Buhari praised Osinbajo's dignity and issue-based campaign approach during a Federal Executive Council meeting in 2022.",
  "summary": "A former spokesperson to Yemi Osinbajo says ex-President Buhari offered to support his 2022 presidential ambition, countering Babachir Lawal’s claims. Read More: https://punchng.com/buhari-wanted-osinbajo-as-president-ex-spokesman-counters-babachir-lawal/",
  "key_points": [
    "Former spokesperson Laolu Akande refuted Babachir Lawal's claims.",
    "President Buhari offered support to Osinbajo's 2022 presidential ambition four times.",
    "Buhari praised Osinbajo's dignity and issue-based campaign approach in 2022."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Punch",
        "title": "Buhari never questioned Osinbajo’s appointments over ethnicity — Ex-VP’s aide",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/17/buhari-never-questioned-osinbajos-appointments-over-ethnicity-ex-vps",
        "published": "2026-10-17T11:30:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}