Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has broken his silence following his controversial exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Launching a fierce counter-offensive, Lawal has dismissed the long-standing corruption allegations that led to his removal from office as a political “setup” orchestrated by powerful adversaries, including the former Vice President.
His remarks come in the wake of intense public backlash following his resignation from the ADC on Monday. Lawal had accused the party of abandoning internal democracy and manipulating its primary elections to favor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and his allies ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While Atiku has maintained a dignified silence, his supporters launched a wave of criticism against the former SGF, prompting Lawal to issue a detailed, no-holds-barred defense of his political record and his controversial departure from the cabinet of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
I Was Target of Envy’ — Lawal
Addressing the moniker “grass cutter”—a label derived from the contract scandal involving the clearing of invasive plant species in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps—Lawal described the entire episode as a coordinated hit job. He claimed his close personal relationship with former President Buhari, which dates back to 1971, made him a target for political rivals who feared he was being groomed for higher office.
“I find this amusing because it was clearly a setup to get me out of office on account of my very close relationship with Gen. Muhammadu Buhari,” Lawal stated. “This close relationship annoyed so many people who were beginning to fear Buhari must be grooming me for something higher.”
Lawal further alleged that ethnic and religious biases played a role in his ousting. “Some others also felt that Buhari had no business appointing me as SGF because I was from the small tribe of Kilba and a Christian for that matter,” he said, adding that when Buhari resisted pressure to fire him, his opponents turned to legislative and executive “hatchet men” to force his exit.
Accusations Point to the Presidency
Without explicitly naming former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Lawal pointed fingers directly at the office of the then-Vice President for relentlessly pursuing his removal.
According to Lawal, after President Buhari initially dismissed an interim Senate report urging his sack due to a lack of fair hearing, the “then Vice President” pestered the president until an investigative panel, consisting of the VP and two others, was established.
“It was this report that, without a shred of evidence, recommended my removal,” Lawal asserted.
Defending his financial integrity, Lawal emphasized that he was ultimately vindicated by the courts. He recalled that he insisted on an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) prosecution to clear his name.
During the trial, the EFCC called 14 witnesses. However, Lawal noted that none of the witnesses implicated him in the procurement process. The case ended in a “no-case submission,” leading to his discharge and acquittal.
Clarifying the financial details of the scandal, Lawal stated that the controversy centered around a N7.2 million consultancy contract awarded to Rholavision Engineering Limited—a company he once owned—out of a larger N540 million contract executed by Josmon Technologies Limited.
“Both the main contract and the consultancy services were fully executed, and payments were effected only after the Auditor-General’s Office and the Internal Auditors certified them,” Lawal said. “So no money was lost by the government, no bribe was given, and no money was laundered. In these days when billions of dollars get taken out of government coffers in a single deal, is it not a wonder that an SGF would lose his position and be scandalized over a pittance of N7.2 Milion
Turning his attention back to the current political landscape, Lawal remained unapologetic about his criticism of Atiku Abubakar and his opposition to the former Vice President’s influence within the ADC. He insisted that he has a democratic right to question the character and competence of anyone aspiring to lead the country.
“It is my right to interrogate the character and competence of someone who seeks to be my President,” Lawal declared, urging the ADC to find a more viable candidate if they hope to contest the next general election successfully.
Vowing not to be silenced by social media critics or political operatives, the former SGF concluded: “I mean well for my country… I will not lie low and allow his goons to lynch me, be it physically or on social media.”
