Nyesom Wike, minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has accused Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), of disrespecting President Bola Tinubu out of personal grievances.
Gatekeepers News reports that Lawal, during a previous appearance on Politics Today, a Channels Television programme, had described Tinubu as “arrogant” and “full of himself,” claiming the president did not win the election.
Speaking on the same show on Tuesday, Wike said the recent criticism of Tinubu by Lawal was because he wasn’t chosen as running mate ahead of the 2023 elections.
He said, “When Mr President chose his vice-presidential candidate, I was one of those whom Babachir visited.”
“He came to my house in Port Harcourt with one of the former speakers of the House of Representatives.”
“His anger was that he thought Mr President would have chosen him as a vice-presidential candidate. Having not done that, all hell must be let loose.”
“It was very clear, we are not kids. Even a child who is intelligent would know where your anger is. I once thought he was a man worthy of respect, but I now realise he is not a man you can take for his words.”
“I watched the interview and the unpalatable words he used against Mr President, how he said that Mr President is full of himself. It is really unfortunate.”
He further condemned Lawal’s refusal to address Tinubu respectfully, saying “ A man will come out on national television not to genuinely criticise what Mr President has done wrong, but to accuse him simply because he had a relationship with Mr President before.”
“That does not give him the latitude to come on national television to say a President of a country is full of himself. He doesn’t even call him ‘President’; he just says ‘Bola’.”
Wike added that governance is a collective effort and advised Nigerians to engage ministers and advisers instead of expecting constant direct access to the president.
The minister also dismissed the adoption of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) by opposition politicians, insisting the party lacks nationwide acceptance.
He said, “There’s no coalition. Nigerians have already rejected them; the by-election is enough evidence. They did not make any impact. But that is just the beginning.”
“There’s no coalition. What is coalition? You can talk about coalition when CPC and AC and some PDP members went to form another party… that you can call coalition.”
“From what happened in the by-election, how can you say Nigerians are looking up to them (ADC)?”
