Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, unleashed a fiery outburst during a live television interview on Tuesday, furiously rebuking TVC journalist Nifemi Oguntoye over a contentious comparison between the electoral processes under former President Muhammadu Buhari and current President Bola Tinubu.
The dramatic exchange occurred on TVC’s #BeyondTheHeadlines, when Oguntoye pointed out that the same administration Lawal once served — under Buhari — also conducted the 2019 and 2023 general elections, implying a continuity in electoral conduct.
“Mr. Lawal, it is the same electoral processes in 2019 and 2023,” Oguntoye stated. “I mean, the same administration you served under. I didn’t see much difference between what happened then and now.”
But the suggestion hit a nerve. A visibly irate Babachir Lawal fired back with explosive vitriol.
“Give me a break, my friend. Look, shut up. Give me a break!” he shouted. “How can you say Buhari government electoral processes are the same with Bola Tinubu’s government’s processes? What is your problem? There is no truth in what you say.”
Despite the outburst, Oguntoye maintained composure and responded with grace: “I will take ‘get out’ because I invited you to my house (programme), but I am just trying to have an intellectual conversation with you, Mr. Lawal.”
The moment quickly went viral, with reactions pouring in across social media. Oguntoye later took to X (formerly Twitter) to reflect on the altercation, clarifying that while Lawal lost his temper, the broader conversation remained substantive.
“Former SGF Babachir Lawal lost his cool on #BeyondTheHeadlines when I reminded him the same 2023 election he’s rubbishing was conducted by the Buhari govt he served in,” Oguntoye tweeted.
“But beyond that moment, we actually had an engaging conversation.”
Babachir Lawal, once a staunch supporter and campaigner for President Tinubu, has become one of the administration’s most vocal critics following their fallout over the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket. His sharp criticisms have intensified since the 2023 elections, which he described as riddled with irregularities and betrayal of democratic values.
In a clear break from his political past, Lawal officially tendered his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in a letter dated June 29, 2025, addressed to the APC Chairman of Bangshika Ward, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
“I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressive Congress,” he stated. “In due course, I will make public my current political affiliations, where I plan to join other compatriots to work towards making Nigeria a better living place for all its citizens. This resignation takes immediate effect. Please, remain blessed and extend my warm regards to other members of your party.”
Lawal is now part of a rising political coalition aiming to wrest power from President Tinubu and the APC in the 2027 general elections. The formidable alliance — featuring heavyweights like former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi — has recently adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its official platform for the battle ahead.
With tensions in the political arena rising and tempers flaring on national airwaves, Babachir Lawal’s latest outburst underscores the deepening cracks within Nigeria’s political establishment — and sets the stage for what promises to be a heated and unpredictable 2027 election cycle.
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