Wike: Babachir Lawal is angry because he is not the vice president

Nyesome Wike, minister of the FCT, has accused Babachir Lawal of being disrespectful to President Tinubu because he was not selected as the vice-presidential candidate.

Wike made the statement on Tuesday, during an interview with Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV on the programme Politics Today.

Babachir Lawal, on the same programme a few weeks back, alleged that President Tinubu did not categorically win the 2023 presidential election but that it was rigged in his favour.

He also claimed that although the president is his friend, they have not spoken in a long time because Tinubu believed it was he, Babachir Lawal, who offended him.

To clarify the situation, Wike opened up on what transpired between the president and Babachir Lawal, the former secretary to the government of the federation.

According to him, the SGF is disrespectful to the president because of the issues they must have had before he became the number one citizen of the country and, as such, addresses him by his first name, Bola.

Wike further describes how Lawal came running to his house in Port Harcourt, visibly angry, after Tinubu named Kasim Shettima as his running mate in 2023.

“He doesn’t call him president; he says Bola. If you have a problem with Mr President before he became president, there is nothing wrong with you finding ways to solve the problem.

“For example, when the president chose the VP candidate who is today the VP of the country, Kasim Shettima, I was one of those whom Babachir Lawal visited. He came to my house in Port Harcourt with a former speaker in the House of Representatives.

“What was his anger? His anger was that he thought Mr. President would have chosen him as the VP candidate. Having not done that, heaven will have to let loose,” he said.

Speaking further on Babachir Lawal’s criticism of President Tinubu as being unapproachable, Wike once again jumped to his defence while asking if everyone must have access to the president.

He noted that several appointed officials represent the president in various offices, and any need to meet with Tinubu is expected to be channelled through proper channels.