Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, stirred controversy during a live broadcast on Tuesday after angrily confronting a journalist over comments comparing Nigeria’s 2019 and 2023 electoral processes.
The incident occurred during an interview on TVC, where anchor Nifemi Oguntoye posed a question that appeared to strike a nerve. While discussing the credibility of recent elections, Oguntoye drew parallels between the 2019 elections held under then-President Muhammadu Buhari and the 2023 polls that brought President Bola Tinubu to power.
“Mr Lawal, it is the same electoral processes in 2019 and 2023. I mean the same administration you served under. I didn’t see quite much difference between what happened then and now,” Oguntoye remarked.
Visibly agitated, Lawal erupted in response.
“Give me a break, my friend! Shut up! Shut up! Get out! Give me a break! How can you say the Buhari government’s electoral process is the same as Bola Tinubu’s? What’s your problem? Give me a break… The Tinubu government didn’t win the election…”
Despite the outburst, Oguntoye remained composed, responding diplomatically:
“I’ll take ‘get out’ because I’ve invited you to my house, but I’m just trying to have an intellectual conversation with you, Mr. Lawal…”
Babachir Lawal, who was a prominent figure in Buhari’s first-term administration, has recently made headlines for formally severing ties with the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a letter dated June 29, 2025, addressed to the APC Chairman in Bangshika Ward, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Lawal announced his resignation from the party.
His criticism of the 2023 electoral outcome aligns with his broader discontent with the current administration and signals a significant shift in his political stance, especially after his fallout with the APC leadership following the controversial Muslim-Muslim ticket ahead of the 2023 elections.
The fiery exchange on national television has since gone viral, sparking widespread reactions across social media and reigniting discussions about the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
