Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu could seek a third term in office if given the opportunity, while also expressing doubts about the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral process.
Speaking during an interview with Symfoni TV, Lawal argued that elections in the country are no longer free, fair, or credible. He claimed that political parties routinely manipulate their primary elections and suggested that similar practices could influence the 2027 general elections.
According to him, election results are often predetermined before voting takes place, alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, merely announces outcomes that have already been decided.
“They would allow you to go to polling units pretending that INEC would do some bojuboju and announce the result that has already been handed over to them. I think that’s the end,” he said.
Lawal further claimed that many Nigerians have lost confidence in the electoral system and predicted that legal battles, rather than the ballot box, would ultimately determine election outcomes.
He also criticized political parties over the conduct of their primaries, saying none could honestly claim to have conducted transparent internal elections.
“They can deceive themselves that they are campaigning. Every political party rigged its primaries. Up till now they are still fighting because nobody can beat their chest and say they conducted free and fair primaries,” he stated.
Lawal concluded by claiming that President Tinubu would pursue a third term in office if circumstances allowed.
“Bola Tinubu will go for a third term if God gives him the long life to do it,” he said.
