Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to the Vatican, calling it a disrespect to Nigeria’s Christian community.
Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, Lawal expressed his disapproval of Tinubu’s attendance at the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, labeling the visit as symbolic at best and “orchestrated by lobbyists.”
“You know that seeing the Pope is largely about who you know and how well you can lobby,” Lawal said. “It’s not some great diplomatic breakthrough. With the right connections or inducements, anyone can make it happen. Tinubu visiting the Pope is not a big deal—it’s a non-issue.”
President Tinubu had traveled to Vatican City to join other world leaders for the papal inauguration and briefly greeted Pope Leo XIV afterward.
Lawal, a former supporter of Tinubu’s 2023 presidential bid, distanced himself from the campaign after the selection of Kashim Shettima—another Muslim—as the running mate. Since then, Lawal has been an outspoken critic of the administration’s Muslim-Muslim ticket, arguing that it alienates Christians from the country’s top political leadership.
“This visit only reinforces my belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christians in Nigeria,” Lawal stated. “If we had a Christian vice president, it would be logical and respectful for him to lead a delegation to the Vatican, especially for such an important Christian event.”
He added that the current arrangement misrepresents Nigeria’s religious diversity and misses opportunities to promote balance and inclusivity in governance.
Lawal’s remarks come amid ongoing public discourse around religious representation in Nigeria’s political leadership and the broader implications for national unity.
