Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has dismissed President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the Vatican as a politically motivated public relations move and a reinforcement of what he called the marginalisation of Christians in Nigeria.
Tinubu was among world leaders who attended the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV in Rome last week, following an official invitation from the Vatican’s Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin. However, speaking on Arise Television, Lawal described the visit as superficial and orchestrated, claiming it was likely arranged by lobbyists “with the right inducement.”
“It is not a big deal to meet the Pope,” Lawal said. “Such meetings can be secured through diplomatic lobbying. It is not some rare achievement. This visit doesn’t erase the insult of a Muslim-Muslim ticket. In fact, it reinforces it. A Christian should have led that delegation.”
He added that had Tinubu selected a Christian vice president, he likely wouldn’t have made the trip. “His presence at the Vatican isn’t about diplomacy—it’s a calculated PR move to mend a fractured image,” he said.
Coalition Talks and the PDP “Virus”
On the political front, Lawal gave further insight into opposition coalition talks ahead of the 2027 elections. He confirmed that conversations are ongoing to build a united front against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and President Tinubu, but ruled out any collaboration with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), branding the party as irredeemable.
“In every strategic meeting I’ve attended, PDP hasn’t come up as a viable option,” he said. “The party has an incurable virus. It is broken beyond repair. We are either forming a new party or restructuring an existing one with clean hands.”
He revealed that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was deeply involved in the planning and that key political figures were nearing consensus on a fresh platform that would represent the aspirations of a disillusioned electorate.
PDP Fires Back: Lawal Has No Political Weight
In response, the PDP rejected Lawal’s statements, describing them as the rantings of a political actor with diminishing influence. In a statement by Yusuf Dingyadi, media aide to Acting National Chairman Ambassador Umar Damagum, the party accused Lawal of engaging in attention-seeking and spreading false narratives.
“Mr. Lawal’s comments are politically bitter and irrelevant. The PDP doesn’t seek his validation. He is free to hold opinions, but those opinions hold no weight in our strategic roadmap for 2027,” the statement said.
The party also took aim at Lawal’s past, stating that his tenure in government was remembered “more for scandals than service,” and that his recent criticism reflected desperation to remain politically relevant.
“We are rebuilding. We are focused. We are uniting. And we are not deterred by naysayers,” the PDP said, reaffirming its commitment to offering Nigerians a credible and experienced alternative.
As the 2027 political landscape begins to take shape, the tension between old alliances and new realignments continues to intensify, with questions lingering about who can genuinely challenge the APC’s dominance—and whether a fractured opposition can overcome its internal contradictions.
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