Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has issued a stern warning to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, cautioning against the arrest of Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. In a recent interview, Lawal emphasized that such an action could have grave consequences for Tinubu’s administration.
Lawal’s remarks come in response to claims made by Bayo Onanuga, a media aide to President Tinubu, that the nationwide protest dubbed “#EndBadGovernanceInNigeria” is being sponsored by Obi and the Obidient Movement. The former SGF strongly refuted these allegations, stating that Obi is not the type of person who would instigate such protests.
“If they go out to protest and there is an attempt to forcefully stop them, that will be the catalyst for chaos,” Lawal warned, advising the government against using force against the protesters. He also called for the removal of Onanuga from his position, accusing him of inflaming Nigerians rather than pacifying them.
“Tinubu should remove Bayo Onanuga from his position because he doesn’t mean well for his government. His outbursts is inflaming Nigerians rather than pacify them. When you are in government, you don’t insult the people,” Lawal said.
The former SGF questioned Onanuga’s qualifications for the position, stating, “I don’t know if Onanuga is the spokesman of Motor Park Touts Association before he got his current appointment. They said he is educated but it doesn’t show in his behaviour. He has an in-built disdain for people and it shows in the way he talks.”
Lawal emphasized that arresting Peter Obi would be a grave mistake, warning that the consequences would be severe. “Let them arrest him if that is their plan and see the consequences. I know that is what Onanuga is working towards. Anyone asking Tinubu to arrest Peter Obi doesn’t mean well for him. It is like they took cyanide with their own hands and swallow it,” he said.
The military has also issued a warning against violence during the planned protests, while the Department of State Services (DSS) has revealed a plot to cause chaos. However, Lawal remains adamant that the protesters mean well for the country and that the government should not resort to force.
As tensions continue to rise, the nation anxiously awaits the government’s response to Lawal’s warning. Will President Tinubu heed the former SGF’s advice, or will he risk the severe consequences of arresting Peter Obi? Only time will tell if the government’s actions will be a catalyst for change or a recipe for disaster.
