Laolu Akande, the former spokesperson to Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has rejected claims made by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal regarding former President Muhammadu Buhari’s stance on Osinbajo’s 2022 presidential run.
Responding to a recent interview in which Lawal asserted that Buhari viewed Osinbajo’s bid as highly immoral due to his political relationship with Bola Tinubu, Akande stated that the narrative is entirely false. He revealed that Buhari personally offered to back Osinbajo on at least four occasions.
Buhari’s Words and Actions Supported Osinbajo
Akande explained that he witnessed key discussions regarding the former Vice President’s office and recalled Buhari repeatedly reassuring Osinbajo by asking who else he would support if not his deputy. He noted that Buhari consistently displayed an encouraging and supportive attitude toward Osinbajo’s ambition.
Furthermore, Akande recalled a Federal Executive Council meeting during the campaign season where Buhari praised Osinbajo in front of cabinet members. The former president commended Osinbajo for running a dignified, issues-based campaign across the country, showing clear admiration for his conduct rather than disapproval.
Background on the 2022 APC Primaries
Lawal had previously argued that Buhari could not support Osinbajo because of his long-standing alliance with Tinubu. However, Akande insisted that Buhari’s public and private actions told a completely different story.
During the All Progressives Congress presidential primary in June 2022, Osinbajo finished third with 235 votes. Former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi placed second with 316 votes, while Tinubu won the ticket with 1,271 votes. Tinubu subsequently contested and won the 2023 Nigerian presidential election.