Olayiwola Matthew
Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, accused Babachir Lawal; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); of “disrespecting” President Tinubu following Lawal’s recent criticism of the administration .
On the August 8 episode of Channels Television’s Politics Today, Lawal had labelled the president “arrogant and unapproachable,” adding that:
“I didn’t offend him, he offended me… he thinks… he is now so-called president… I believe he didn’t win the election.”
Responding on Tuesday, Wike attributed Lawal’s remarks to personal resentment over not being selected as Tinubu’s running mate in the 2023 election.
He said Lawal visited him in Port Harcourt shortly after the selection was announced; accompanied by a former Speaker of the House; appearing visibly upset that the Vice Presidential slot did not go to him .
Wike further argued that Lawal’s comments were rooted in bitterness rather than principled criticism:
“Even a child who is intelligent would know where your anger is.”
“There are people I have had respect for… until I started observing things… I never knew that he is not a man you can take for his words.”
He added that while personal disputes are normal, the right way to address them is through private channels—not by resorting to public disparagement:
“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 reaffirmed that governance is a team effort, reminding Nigerians that ministers and advisers—not the president alone—are the appropriate points of contact for citizens’ concerns.