Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has claimed that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, was deeply disappointed after President Bola Tinubu overlooked him for the vice-presidential slot in the 2023 election.
Speaking on Channels Television, Wike said Lawal personally visited him in Port Harcourt shortly after Tinubu announced former Borno State governor, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate.
“When President Tinubu chose Shettima, Babachir Lawal came to my house in Port Harcourt. He came with a former Speaker of the House of Representatives. He was angry because he thought the president would pick him as vice president,” Wike disclosed.
According to Wike, Lawal’s recent criticisms of President Tinubu are less about governance and more about personal disappointment.
“Sometimes there are people you hold in high esteem until events reveal their true motives. His anger is not about Nigeria or governance; it is about not being made vice president,” Wike said.
In recent weeks, Lawal has described Tinubu as “arrogant” and “unapproachable,” warning that Nigeria was on a dangerous path under the current administration.
But Wike dismissed the remarks, insisting they lacked sincerity.
“It is unfortunate that a man would go on national television to speak ill of the president, not because of policy failures, but simply because he feels entitled to an office he was not given,” he stressed.
Defending Tinubu’s style of leadership, the FCT Minister argued that governance is structured around ministries and institutions, not direct access to the president.
“Government does not mean everybody must reach the president. I am minister of the FCT, there are others in charge of interior, trade, or industry. That is how government functions. If you have a complaint about the FCT, you should come to me, not to the president directly,” Wike explained.
On the economy, Wike admitted that Nigerians are facing hardship but urged patience, stressing that meaningful reforms take time. He noted that under Tinubu, states no longer depend on federal bailouts to survive.
“No state is running to Abuja today for bailouts. That problem has been solved. The resources are now in the hands of the states to pursue development,” he said.
Wike further pointed to international recognition of Nigeria’s security gains, adding that both the United States and the United Kingdom have commended the country’s recent progress against terrorism.
“Yes, there are challenges, but insecurity is gradually coming down. We must acknowledge genuine progress,” he noted.
