Lawal believes a Christian vice president should have led the delegation to the Vatican.
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s recent visit to Pope Leo XIV, calling it an insult to Christianity. Speaking on Arise Television on Wednesday, Lawal claimed the invitation could have been arranged by lobbyists.
“You know that going to see the Pope is just a matter of your lobby, probably with the correct inducement. So, Bola Tinubu going to visit the Pope is a non-issue,” he said.
Lawal argued that Tinubu’s presence at the Vatican for the papal inauguration reinforced his belief that the Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket is “an unfair arrangement.”
“It reinforces my earlier belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christianity,” he said. “Had there a senior Christian as a vice president, he will be the one to represent the government.”
Lawal, who initially backed Tinubu in 2023, withdrew his support after Tinubu picked fellow Muslim, Kashim Shettima, as his running mate.