In a surprising revelation, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, emerged as the winner of the 2023 presidential election, casting doubt on the declaration by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that Bola Tinubu was the victor.
Lawal made this assertion in a statement released on Tuesday, as obtained by Ejes Gist Newspaper. He cited available factual data, collated from various independent sources, which indicated that Peter Obi secured the majority of votes, with Atiku coming in second place. In stark contrast, Lawal suggested that Bola Tinubu came a distant third in terms of the number of votes received.
The former SGF explained that he had refrained from engaging in contemporary political discourse following the election, as he required time to thoroughly analyze and understand the data that led to the election’s outcomes. Additionally, his attention had been focused on his farming activities due to the onset of the rainy season.
Peter Obi won, based on data
Lawal’s statement delved into the ongoing debate regarding whether Bola Tinubu genuinely won the presidential election and whether his candidacy met the required ethical and moral standards, given the controversy surrounding his biodata.
Regarding the first inquiry, Lawal asserted, “Bola did not win the election,” regardless of INEC or the Appeal Court’s pronouncements. He maintained that Tinubu had been aware from the beginning of the campaign that he would not succeed in a free and fair contest, prompting him to pursue alternative means.
In response to the second inquiry, Lawal questioned the ethics and morality of Tinubu’s candidacy. He suggested that given the increasing negative information about Tinubu’s background being revealed publicly, it would be advisable for him to voluntarily withdraw from the election to avoid humiliation and embarrassment on a national and international scale.
Lawal emphasized the significance of leadership and the qualities it should embody, such as integrity, a sound pedigree, trustworthiness, and the ability to unite and inspire confidence in the people. He asserted that many Nigerians felt that Bola Tinubu lacked these qualities.
The former SGF expressed concerns about the current state of affairs in Nigeria, with citizens facing insecurity, poverty, and hopelessness while government officials seemingly prioritize their interests and personal gains. He pointed to political appointments that appeared to reward supporters rather than considering the qualifications and competence of the appointees.
Lawal cited examples of appointees with questionable qualifications, such as an accountant as Minister of Defense and the CBN Governor’s handling of foreign exchange restrictions, raising doubts about their suitability for their roles.
Lawal called attention to the deteriorating state of the Nigerian economy, the erosion of free speech, and a sense of creeping dictatorship, raising concerns about the direction the country was heading. His revelations have added further complexity and intrigue to the ongoing discourse surrounding the 2023 presidential election and its aftermath.
