I Told Peter Obi That This Coalition Will Be Good For Him, And He Should Not Fear Primaries” Lawal

According to a video posted on Symfoni on Monday October 12, 2026, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, said he told Peter Obi that the opposition coalition would be good for him and that he should not fear primaries.

Mr Lawal spoke during an interview with the host. He said that after earlier efforts failed, serious talks on a coalition began.

He said Mr Obi would say he was on the ballot outside the coalition. He said Mr Obi did not give them the opportunity to discuss it. He said Mr Obi spoke as though he did not believe in the idea.

In his words, Babachir Lawal said, “I continued to tell him that this coalition would be good for him, and so on and so forth.

“I explained to him that he shouldn’t fear primaries, because if he gives me time, I know how to work it out, we win the election, on and on and on. Some other people, I’m sure, were pushing him too. Eventually he joined us full time,” he said.

Mr Lawal said that once Mr Obi joined, he was asked to attend meetings. He said those organising the meetings would call him to reach Mr Obi.

He said he was lucky that Mr Obi held him in high regard. He said Mr Obi would pick his calls. The host asked why Mr Obi had always feared primaries.

Mr Lawal said Mr Obi has always said he does not have the dollars to share in primaries. He said Mr Obi does not want to buy delegates. He said this is Mr Obi’s philosophy.

He said it is known that elections cannot be won without money. He said Mr Obi claims he does not have the money to buy delegates. He said that is his simple reason.

Mr Lawal said he first approached Mr Obi last year on behalf of Atiku Abubakar. He said Mr Obi had then cited a survey showing a likely loss.

Watch headline quotes from (00:11:36 – 00:11:50).:

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