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THE NORTH IS MOBILIZING TO STOP TINUBU; I WILL WORK WITH EL-RUFAI – BABACHIR LAWAL
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has declared his intention to collaborate with former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai to prevent President Bola Tinubu from winning the 2027 presidential election according to the information obtained by The Bureau Newspaper on Wednesday. Lawal, once an ally of Tinubu, has become a vocal critic of the president, blaming his economic reforms for exacerbating poverty and hardship in Northern Nigeria.
In an interview with Punch, Lawal described Tinubu’s policies as “nail-biting reforms” that have left the Northern region feeling betrayed and economically distressed. He emphasized the urgent need for political change, stating that the North is mobilizing to ensure Tinubu does not secure a second term.
Lawal’s stance aligns with El-Rufai’s recent warnings about a potential political upheaval in 2027, similar to the challenges faced by former President Goodluck Jonathan in 2015. El-Rufai had shared insights on his verified X account (formerly Twitter) from APC member Uche Diala, highlighting a significant decline in Tinubu’s relationship with the North over the past two years.
“The North is seriously mobilizing with a consensus that Bola Tinubu must step aside in the 2027 election,” Lawal stated. “This is not a matter of debate. I may have previously disagreed with El-Rufai on certain issues, but on this, I will join him in efforts to ensure Tinubu does not win again. If he does, Northern Nigeria could become one large refugee camp.”
Lawal stressed that the region’s future depends on finding a suitable alternative to Tinubu, regardless of the candidate’s geographical origin. “What matters is that the candidate understands the importance of a united Nigeria,” he said.
He acknowledged the divide among political elites over the candidate’s origin, with some advocating for a Southern candidate while others express concerns about the risks involved.
“Ultimately, we all agree that we need a substitute for Bola Tinubu,” Lawal added. “Unfortunately, many Northern figures benefiting from this administration are merely justifying their positions, indifferent to the struggles faced by the broader Northern populace.”
Lawal concluded by highlighting the disconnect between elite opinions and the sentiments of the masses, asserting that even those who appear to support Tinubu will not vote for him due to the hardships they endure. He urged Northern political leaders to heed the call for change and ensure that Tinubu does not secure a second term.
This development signals growing discontent within the Northern political establishment and sets the stage for a contentious battle ahead of the 2027 elections.
[2/14, 2:05 AM] donseze: EFCC’s PROSECUTION OF EX-GOVERNOR UNCONSTITUTIONAL, WASTE OF RESOURCES – OBIDIGBO
Elder statesman, Dr Chike Obidigbo, has stated that the trial of state governors by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, after their four or eight-year tenure is unconstitutional.
He regretted that the anti-graft agency seems to have become a willing tool in the hands of desperate politicians and malicious businessmen with an axe to grind against their opponents.
“For the EFCC to keep losing many court cases shows that all is not well with the commission’s standard operating mechanism,” he contended in a statement he signed on Thursday.
It is no longer news that the anti-graft agency has made it part of its responsibility to go after former governors once they leave office. Many of these ex-governors remain on the EFCC’s long list for alleged corrupt practices.
Most recently, some former governors, such as the immediate past Anambra State governor, Willie Obiano, and former Kogi State governor, Yahaya Bello, have had issues with the EFCC.
Obidigbo argued that the trial of state governors after their tenure contradicts the spirit and letter of the Nigerian constitution.
He maintained that the same constitution that grants immunity to state chief executives cannot simultaneously empower an external organ to subject them to a post-service inquisition. He insisted that the EFCC should stop overstepping its constitutional bounds by arrogating to itself a superior role over the State House of Assembly.
“A lot of things are going topsy-turvy in this country. The harassment of state governors after their tour of duty is in total violation of constitutional provisions. In the presidential democracy which we pretend to practise, the legislature is the main organ of oversight on the activities of the executive,” he said.
“In recent times, the EFCC has transformed itself into an attack dog, going after former governors. Governors are elected to serve the people; as such, the people are better placed to police the governors through their representatives in the legislature.
“Security votes have been rendered opaque by the constitution, which categorises them as funds in a blind budget. So, if the constitution empowers state governors to implement the blind budget as they deem fit, the EFCC should have no business searching for departed sums.”
Obidigbo further noted: “There is no reason a former governor should be dragged up and down in the name of fighting corruption without the input of his home state.”
The elder statesman wondered why former presidents, who enjoy the same constitutional immunity as state governors, are not subjected to post-service inquisition. He called on the National Assembly to ensure that the EFCC does not become an emerging danger to Nigeria’s democracy.
He further argued that rather than serving as a deterrent, the EFCC’s investigations into former governors merely expand the cycle of corruption, as operatives extort, blackmail, and use faceless individuals and groups to intimidate suspects.
