Sacked SGF, Babachir Lawal opens up on cabal in Buhari’s govt, Atiku’s presidential bid

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir David Lawal has spoken for the first time after his sack from office.

The former SGF insisted that allegations that led to his exit were fabricated by those who wanted him out of office.

He said former Vice President Atiku Abubakar cannot win election even in his native Adamawa, stressing that he has become a nomadic politician moving from one party to the other.

Lawal told newsmen in Abuja that he was proud to have been associated with the cabal within the Presidency saying if having his suggestions to the President accepted makes him part of a cabal, he was proud to be one.

Feeling rather betrayed, Lawal said his exit from office opened his eyes to know that some of the people around him, especially while in office were envious of him.

He said he was not contesting the governorship of Adamawa because having served as the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, running the federal government, he believes that he was bigger than the office of the governor, but would rather encourage his 33-year-old son to do that.

He said: “Let me tell you, nothing happened to me. It was just a fabrication and I know it. That is why it didn’t bother me right from the beginning. That is why people don’t like me because I am self-confident.

“It didn’t bother me. Did I defend myself that time and I am not doing it because I know they were fabricated because they wanted the SGF position. I am still doing fine. If you want to make heaven as a Christian, never carry any grudge. Forgiveness is principle number one and I want to make heaven.”

Speaking on life outside government, Lawal said “before I came into government, I was a very successful businessman, a world-renowned IT consultant. I abandoned that and came into government and was earning N930, 000 every month. Now, I have been sacked.

“Before then, I had a farm, 1000 hectares of farm land which I could not pay attention to because I was doing government job. Now, I have gone back to my farm and deactivated it completely and I now have 4000 hectare under cultivation.

“Last year, I earned close to half a billion Naira from my farm. I have a cattle ranch that I am developing gradually and I am back to IT consultancy. I will say life is good. Was I like this before? Everybody that sees me now tells me, you are looking good.

“I did expect Nigerians to stand behind me. You know that I am a Pastor; people always forget that I am a pastor. The Bible says that God works in all things for the good of those who trust him. There is something that has happened to me which, if I had not gone through this experience, I would not have known.

“There are people that I have helped that are determined to say that I should not see the light of day. All along, they were carrying my children to school, but scheming that I die. I would not have known that.

“I would not have known that people I was paying school fees for their children and feeding them were actually people who were envious of me. I would not have known that. I wouldn’t have known. That as a human being, you have no co two, over your destiny. God does it and I believe that the way the Bible puts it, everything that happen to you is for your own good.”

On being a member of the cabal operating within the Presidency, he said “cabal is not a bad word. Those they call cabal are the inner caucus and every person has people around him that are closest to him. If the President appoints me as SGF and I cannot influence his decision, then what am I doing there?

“That is the whole essence, being able to influence your boss decision. If because you are close to your boss and makes recommendations and he listens to you, that makes you a cabal, then it is a pride to be a cabal. Would you like me to be SGF and have no influence whatsoever in the government? Then, I will just be a bench warmer.”

While denying being the one who nominated the current Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Lawal said “Am I the President? Even when I was the SGF, all appointments were made by the President. At best, you recommend and it is up to him to either accept or reject. On what basis will I recommend the SGF? He is my brother and I cannot deny that.”

He denied any sectional interest in his work as SGF, saying “Am a Hausa man? I am a Kilba man and we are only about 30,000. I am a Christian and there is no way I can be accused of sectionalism if a Muslim gets appointed or get recommended by me or if I recommend somebody from Sokoto or Katsina.

“You can call me sectional, if you can tell me that from your Hong local government; these are the appointments you made. If they are talking about sectionalism, were they when these people were working hard. When I was appointed SGF. they didn’t even know where I come from. Where were they when we were sleeping in the bushes.”

On the chances of former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, the former SGF said “I like the man ooo. You know I resembled him. I like the guy, but he can’t win election in Adamawa State. There are just people who can’t win election because their methodology is not good.

“Somehow, people are fatigue and the man changed party like football. You kick a football, run after it and kick it again. So, the man changes parties. Anytime you change party, you leave somebody behind.”

Lawal said President Buhari remains the best option for the presidency, saying “I know that President Buhari has done well to be re-elected over and over again. Have you not seen the infrastructures and the things Buhari has been doing? Come to Adamawa State and I will show you.

“In my own state, before Buhari came, seven local government areas were under occupation by Boko Haram. I couldn’t go to my village, I couldn’t go to my farm, I couldn’t go to my local government. Now, even at 2 am, I drove to my house and sleep well, in the morning, I wake up and go to my farm in a remote part of the village and come back safe.

“If you have never been insecure, you don’t know what it mean to be safe or feel safe and sleep in your house without fear. Secondly, all the truncated A roads in Adamawa State are either under construction or the contract are being awarded.

“The road from Yola to Gombe is under construction, from Numan to Taraba is under construction, from Yola to Mubi is under construction and many others. The 330KVA line to Jalingo is completed.

“Before now, Adamawa was on 33 KVA and simple grinding machine could not operate in Adamawa State. Now, we have 330KVA going to Jalingo and there is another one under construction. Boko Haram burnt down all the schools and police stations in the occupied areas. Right now, all of them have been rebuilt and the policemen have come back what else do we want?”