Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s leadership approach in Nigeria.
In an interview with TheCable, Lawal disclosed his foresight regarding the appointment of the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, by Tinubu, predicting it would lead to disaster.
He emphasized the importance of merit over personal connections, stating, “You can’t appoint somebody just because he is your friend or loyal to you.”
Lawal cautioned against oversimplifying leadership qualifications based on past experiences, noting, “Simply because you run a small ministry in Lagos does not give you the ability to run the economy of the country.”
He expressed his feelings of vindication, saying, “I have been vindicated, but it is not something to be proud of when you predict a disaster and it happens.”
Lawal highlighted the complexities of Nigeria’s economy, emphasizing the need for leaders who understand its unique dynamics, stating, “Nigeria’s economy does not normally follow the known pattern of economic operations.”
He provided an example of how Nigeria’s economic operations differ from other countries, underscoring the importance of local insight, saying, “The way Nigeria’s economy operates is not like that of other countries.”
Concluding his critique, Lawal asserted, “Bola (Tinubu’s) appointment did not reflect this knowledge of the country, and he is reaping the consequences of it.”
