Laolu Akande, a former media aide to ex-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, has rejected claims by Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, saying official records from the Muhammadu Buhari administration contradict the allegations.
Akande challenges claims about Osinbajo’s 2023 bid
Akande, who was a presidential spokesperson throughout Buhari’s eight-year administration, said he decided to respond because he had first-hand involvement in some of the decisions now being questioned.
- Lawal had alleged that Buhari, who died after leaving office, considered it morally wrong and objectionable for Osinbajo to run against Bola Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election.
- Lawal also argued that Buhari could not have supported Osinbajo’s presidential ambition against Tinubu because of Buhari’s long-standing relationship with Tinubu.
Former spokesman cites direct role in disputed decisions
In a statement headed “A Response to Mr. Babachir Lawal’s Falsehoods Against Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, SAN, GCON,” Akande said he was compelled to address the matter because he witnessed many of the events cited by Lawal and worked within the office whose personnel appointments had been challenged.
Akande said he had watched the video in which Lawal made what he described as a series of allegations against Osinbajo. While he said such claims would normally not merit a reply, he maintained that the issues affected employees of the Office of the Vice President, where he had served.
He said he had been present when many of the relevant choices were made and insisted that the public record should be set straight with facts rather than what he called fabricated claims.
