By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, on Tuesday stated that Nigerians are facing worsening hardship and insecurity under the present government, calling on voters to prioritise competence and performance over ethnicity, sentiment, and political loyalty in the 2027 general elections.
Lawal, who spoke during an interview on a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State, also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, questioned the credibility of opposition coalition politics, and called for a new leadership culture rooted in accountability and measurable results.
The former SGF insisted that governance should be judged solely by outcomes rather than ethnic or partisan considerations.
According to him, “Bola has not been able to give us good governance. I judge governance by results, not by tribe or sentiment. Nigerians are suffering everywhere, whether in the North, South, East or West, and government must be held accountable for that suffering.”
Lawal argued that the country’s worsening economic conditions and persistent security challenges have exposed what he described as a failure of governance.
“Insecurity is still one of the most urgent challenges. You cannot build a country where people are being killed in their villages and life continues as normal. Government cannot just keep acknowledging problems without solving them,” he said.
He lamented the plight of rural communities, which he said remain the most vulnerable to attacks, displacement and economic deprivation.
“The people suffering the most are in rural communities. They are the ones being attacked, displaced and forgotten. Government must do more to reach them,” he stated.
He stressed that Nigerians are no longer interested in official explanations, but tangible improvements in their daily lives.
“People are tired of hearing that government is aware of insecurity or economic hardship. Awareness is not the issue. Action is what matters. Nigerians want to see results, not statements,” he added.
Lawal further maintained that protecting lives must remain the primary responsibility of any government.
“If you cannot protect lives, then nothing else matters. Security is the foundation of everything,” he said.
Turning to the next presidential election cycle, Lawal cautioned Nigerians against making leadership choices solely to remove the incumbent administration.
According to him, the central question should be who possesses the competence, character and capacity to govern effectively.
“Nigerians must look for the right person who can defeat Bola Tinubu. But defeating an incumbent is not enough. If we remove him and bring in someone worse, it will not help the country,” he said.
He argued that Nigeria must move away from identity politics and begin evaluating candidates on the basis of their records and ability to deliver results.
“The issue is not just about removing anybody. It is about making sure that whoever comes in is better, more competent, and capable of delivering results that Nigerians can feel.”
“We must move away from identity politics. What matters is who can fix the country, not where they come from,” Lawal added.
Assessing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Lawal accused him of being detached from the realities confronting ordinary Nigerians.
The former SGF argued that national leaders and presidential aspirants must demonstrate empathy and visible engagement with communities affected by insecurity and hardship.
“Have you ever seen Atiku pay condolences to communities where they were ravaged by this insurgency? Have you ever heard him condemn Boko Haram killings? This man is completely detached from what is bothering Nigerians,” Lawal said.
He maintained that leadership requires not only political experience but also an emotional connection with citizens.
“Leadership without empathy creates distrust between citizens and those seeking to govern them,” he argued.
Speaking about opposition coalition arrangements, Lawal alleged that many political alliances in Nigeria are motivated more by personal ambition than national interest.
“I don’t know. All Nigerian politicians are all the same. Everybody joins a coalition solely to become the candidate. Once they realise they may not emerge, they begin to look for alternatives,” he stated.
The former SGF recently resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing alleged irregularities in the party’s presidential primary process.
Reflecting on his involvement in the party, he said his initial support for the coalition was motivated by a desire to build a credible alternative capable of addressing Nigeria’s challenges.
“I was one of the early founding members of ADC because I believed a coalition was necessary to salvage Nigeria from Tinubu’s disastrous policies,” he said.
Assessing possible opposition figures ahead of 2027, Lawal said leadership selection should be guided strictly by merit and national interest.
Speaking of businessman and economist Mohammad Hayatu-Deen, he described him as one of the most competent individuals he has encountered within the opposition space.
“On the basis of merit, competence and capability, Hayatu-Deen tops them all because he is a very well-rounded corporate guru,” Lawal stated.
The former SGF insisted that democratic accountability extends beyond election day, arguing that elected officials must remain answerable to citizens throughout their tenure.
“My criticism has nothing to do with political alignment. Nigerians must be free to assess leadership based on performance. That is how democracy should work,” he said.
He added: “democracy does not end on election day. Leaders must remain accountable at all times. That is the only way governance improves.”
As political alignments ahead of the 2027 elections begin to take shape, Lawal urged Nigerians to make informed decisions rooted in competence, character and national interest.
“We still have time. Nigerians must think carefully. The future depends on the choices we make,” he concluded.
