Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of nepotism, alleging that the federal government is dominated by officials from the president’s Yoruba ethnic group and that other political constituencies have been marginalised.
Speaking on Channels Television, Lawal said the composition of the government and its decision-making processes are heavily skewed in favour of a small circle of Yoruba loyalists. He claimed that meetings are often conducted in the Yoruba language, even in the presence of non-Yoruba officials, which he said undermines inclusivity in governance.
“I cannot go to a meeting where 99 percent of the participants are Yorubas. Sometimes they finish the meeting in their language while I am sitting there,” he said.
Lawal said he had warned Tinubu’s political associates before the 2023 presidential election that alienating northern voters could have serious consequences. He referred to an incident in Ogun State where Tinubu made remarks perceived as dismissive towards northerners.
“I told them on the campaign platform: if you antagonise the northerners, we are finished,” he said. “The problem is that when you support them and they win, they behave as if they have conquered you. They will not count your support.”
Lawal said his warning had proved correct, claiming that many non-Yoruba allies now feel excluded from political influence. He alleged that key government appointments, as well as the allocation of responsibilities, reveal a concentration of power that does not reflect Nigeria’s ethnic diversity.
He linked his criticisms of nepotism to broader concerns about governance and national unity. “In a country like Nigeria, no one group can run the government alone without consequences,” he said.
Lawal said he was “thankful” never to have been part of Tinubu’s administration, insisting that its operating style conflicted with his principles. “If I were in this government, I probably would have been sacked a long time ago, or even killed,” he said.
The former SGF also tied the question of representation to electoral performance. He said demographic realities in Lagos during the 2023 election caught the APC off guard when Labour Party candidate Peter Obi won the state. “They didn’t understand the demography of Lagos. It was a shocker for them,” he said.
He alleged that voter suppression was later used to limit the influence of demographic groups that had supported the opposition. Lawal claimed that such tactics, combined with ethnic concentration in appointments, reinforced perceptions of exclusivity in governance.
Lawal’s accusations echo complaints from opposition politicians and civil society groups, who have argued that Nigeria’s political leadership has not adequately addressed issues of ethnic balance. The presidency has consistently denied such claims, saying appointments are based on merit and aimed at ensuring national cohesion.
Lawal said his criticism was based on political principles rather than personal grievances. He emphasised that his decision to distance himself from the current government was deliberate and based on long-standing concerns about inclusivity.
“They were warned. Now everyone can see what I was talking about,” he said.
