Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that no fewer than five governors elected on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are pushing for his return to the ruling party.
In an interview with Sunday PUNCH, Lawal described the five governors – whom he did not name – as his friends, stating that they have personally reached out to ask whether he was considering rejoining the APC.
“There are about five political parties that called me on Wednesday, saying they would hand over their platforms to me if I wanted,” Lawal said. “As we speak, about five or six APC governors, who are my friends, have reached out and asked, ‘Oga, are you coming back home now?’”
He added: “I can confidently tell you that about five serving governors have reached out to me, but I am not considering a return at this moment. Even some ministers wanted to know if I would consider returning to the APC. I told them no, because the problem that made me leave the APC is still there.”
Lawal, however, clarified that he remains unmoved by the governors’ overtures, insisting that returning to the APC would achieve little if the issues that forced him out remained unresolved.
“There is no point returning if nothing has changed. What progress have I made if I go back to meet the same issues?” he asked.
The former SGF further stated that he has temporarily withdrawn from active politics and returned to his farm, adding that politics was never a family vocation for him.
“I have returned to my village farm for now. I don’t understand what you mean by asking about my next political destination. Was I born a politician? Must I remain in politics forever? I have no relationship with any of these crooked politicians. We all met in Abuja and now I have left Abuja for them,” Lawal said.
He also dismissed criticism from supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), who accused him of betraying his party following his resignation. Lawal insisted he had never belonged to Atiku’s political camp.
“What do you mean by betraying Atiku? We have never been in the same camp,” he said. “Forget what his boys are saying. Once I return to Abuja and start speaking again, they will panic and begin defending themselves as usual. I am enjoying my comfort zone for now, but if they want a fight, I will give them one.”
When asked whether he might eventually reconsider the APC offer, Lawal maintained that he was in no hurry to align himself with any political platform, choosing instead to remain on his farm while watching how the political landscape evolves.