Babachir Lawal Alleges Peter Obi Won 2023 Presidential Election

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has sparked a fresh political controversy by claiming that Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, actually won the 2023 presidential election. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Tonight on Monday, Lawal insisted that the facts and figures available to him clearly show that President Bola Tinubu did not win the polls.

According to Lawal, his team actively monitored the electoral process, gathered field data, and tracked polling results nationwide during the February 25, 2023 election. He alleged that several figures were manipulated before the final results were announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

“The result available to me at that time showed he didn’t win the election,” Lawal asserted. “We monitored the election, collected data, and monitored the results from the fields. Some of the results were altered.”

The former SGF stopped short of revealing the detailed breakdown of his data but maintained that Peter Obi’s votes were underreported, while Tinubu’s figures were inflated in certain regions.

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Political Rift with President Tinubu

During the interview, Lawal also shed light on his strained relationship with President Bola Tinubu, revealing that their fallout was personal as much as political. Contrary to popular belief that he harboured grudges against the president, Lawal claimed the reverse was true.

“The problem with Bola Tinubu is that he thinks I’m the one that offended him. I didn’t offend him; he offended me,” Lawal explained. “He is full of himself and thinks that he is now the so-called president.”

He accused Tinubu of arrogance, describing him as a leader whose disposition “belies definitions.” The comments mark one of the most direct personal criticisms of the president from a high-profile political figure who was once part of the ruling party’s inner circle.

Election Controversy and Disputed Results

The 2023 presidential election remains one of Nigeria’s most contentious political events in recent history. INEC declared Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the winner with 8.79 million votes, followed by Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with 6.98 million votes, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party with 6.1 million votes.

However, opposition parties alleged widespread irregularities, including vote suppression, ballot box snatching, and results manipulation in both rural and urban areas. The Labour Party and PDP both challenged the outcome at the Presidential Election Petition Tribunal, but the court upheld Tinubu’s victory in September 2023—a decision later affirmed by the Supreme Court.

Lawal’s latest claim adds new fuel to the debate, particularly because he is a former top government official under President Muhammadu Buhari, who played a key role in the APC’s rise to power.

Babachir Lawal’s Political Positioning

Lawal, who served as SGF between 2015 and 2017 before being removed over a contract scandal, has remained politically active. He was initially a supporter of the APC but openly opposed Tinubu’s presidential candidacy, criticising the party’s Muslim-Muslim ticket as politically insensitive in a religiously diverse nation.

In the run-up to the 2023 election, Lawal aligned himself with Peter Obi’s candidacy, citing integrity and competence as his reasons. His latest statements appear consistent with his long-held view that Obi was the rightful winner.

Reactions to Lawal’s Remarks

Political observers say Lawal’s comments will further polarise Nigeria’s political landscape. Supporters of Peter Obi are likely to seize upon his statement as validation of their long-standing claims of electoral injustice, while APC loyalists are expected to dismiss the remarks as politically motivated and lacking credible evidence.

Some analysts argue that Lawal’s public criticism of Tinubu may also be an attempt to reposition himself politically, possibly aligning with the opposition in preparation for future elections. Others believe his insider knowledge of political operations within the APC makes his claims difficult to ignore entirely.

Implications for Nigeria’s Democracy

Lawal’s accusations highlight the ongoing trust deficit between Nigeria’s political elite and its electorate. While court judgments have legally settled the 2023 election outcome, public perception remains divided. Allegations from high-ranking political figures like Lawal only deepen scepticism about the credibility of electoral institutions.

Observers warn that unless such claims are thoroughly investigated, they may undermine confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process ahead of the 2027 elections. They also note that unresolved tensions between former allies in the ruling party could weaken the APC’s internal cohesion.

For now, the presidency has not issued an official response to Lawal’s remarks. However, political watchers expect the statements to generate strong reactions from Tinubu’s camp and reignite debates over the fairness of the 2023 polls.