Babachir Lawal Blasts Tinubu’s Visit to the Vatican, Calls it a "Non-Issue" and an "Insult to Christianity"

 

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has launched a scathing critique of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his recent visit to the Vatican, describing the move as both symbolically shallow and insulting to Nigeria’s Christian community. In an interview aired on Arise Television on Wednesday, Lawal openly questioned the significance of the president’s attendance at the papal inauguration of Pope Leo XIV, calling the event a "non-issue" and dismissing it as a mere outcome of political lobbying.

This criticism is particularly significant given Lawal’s former alliance with President Tinubu during the 2023 presidential campaign. Lawal, a well-known figure in Nigerian politics and a devout Christian, initially supported Tinubu’s presidential ambition but later withdrew his support following the controversial choice of Kashim Shettima, a fellow Muslim, as Tinubu’s running mate. The decision resulted in a Muslim-Muslim ticket, which has since stirred intense debates on religious inclusion, representation, and fairness in Nigeria’s political landscape.

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Why Tinubu’s Vatican Visit is Controversial

President Bola Tinubu recently traveled to Vatican City to attend the inauguration ceremony of Pope Leo XIV, an event that drew global leaders from various nations. During the event, Tinubu was seen exchanging pleasantries with the new Pope, a moment that was widely publicized by Nigerian media as part of the president's ongoing diplomatic engagements.

However, Babachir Lawal has pushed back hard against the narrative that Tinubu's Vatican visit was of any real significance, especially to Nigeria’s Christian population. According to Lawal, such meetings with the Pope can be easily arranged through lobbying efforts and don’t necessarily reflect diplomatic or religious breakthroughs.

“You know that going to see the Pope is just a matter of your lobby, how well you can lobby, how many friends you have out there in the Vatican that can lobby for you,” Lawal said during the interview. “So it is not as if it’s a major achievement to visit the Pope on his inauguration. It can be arranged in advance by lobbyists, probably with the correct inducement. So, Bola Tinubu going to visit the Pope is a non-issue.”

By labeling the visit a “non-issue,” Lawal is not only questioning the authenticity and diplomatic weight of the trip, but also raising concerns about its timing and symbolic meaning, especially within the context of Nigeria's sensitive religious balance.

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Lawal’s Longstanding Opposition to the Muslim-Muslim Ticket

Babachir Lawal's criticism of the Vatican visit is consistent with his broader opposition to the Muslim-Muslim political ticket adopted by the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2023 general elections. Lawal, like many others in Nigeria's Christian community, saw the decision to field both a Muslim presidential and vice-presidential candidate as a direct affront to Christian inclusivity in Nigerian politics.

“It reinforces my earlier belief that the Muslim-Muslim ticket is an insult to Christianity. Had there been a senior Christian as vice president, it’s only expected that he would be the one to represent the government,” Lawal stated.

This statement reflects growing concerns that the current leadership does not accurately represent the religious diversity of Nigeria, a country where Christianity and Islam are nearly equally practiced, with significant populations in both the North and South.

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Could a Christian Vice President Have Made a Difference?

One of the core arguments Lawal presents is that a Christian vice president would have been more appropriate to lead a Nigerian delegation to the Vatican, particularly for a papal inauguration. He argues that Tinubu’s presence at such a religious event, in place of a Christian representative, highlights the structural imbalance created by the Muslim-Muslim ticket.

“But now in Nigeria, we have a so-called Muslim visiting the Pope, leading a delegation of Catholics, eminent Catholics, to the Vatican. So it proves the fact that a Muslim-Muslim ticket is an unfair arrangement.”

This statement underscores Lawal’s belief that the symbolic roles of government representatives at religious events should be carefully considered and strategically assigned to reflect the nation’s complex cultural and religious makeup. According to Lawal, a Christian leader attending the event would have sent a more inclusive and respectful message to Nigeria’s Christian population.

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Religious Representation in Nigerian Politics: A Growing Concern

Babachir Lawal’s comments come at a time when Nigerians are increasingly vocal about the need for balanced representation in political leadership. Religion in Nigeria is not just a personal belief system—it is deeply tied to identity, social capital, and power structures. The perception that one religion is being favored over another can easily fuel ethno-religious tensions in an already polarized society.

In the aftermath of the 2023 elections, various Christian groups and leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the Muslim-Muslim ticket, warning that such a political structure could undermine national unity. Many have continued to argue for a more inclusive governance model, where both Christians and Muslims are fairly represented at the highest levels of government.

Lawal’s latest remarks are likely to reignite these conversations, especially among Christian communities who feel increasingly marginalized in the current administration.

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Is Tinubu's Vatican Visit Just Optics?

Lawal’s assertion that Tinubu’s visit was orchestrated by lobbyists adds a layer of controversy to what many saw as a routine diplomatic gesture. In diplomatic circles, high-level visits to the Vatican often carry both political and religious significance, but Lawal insists that such appearances can be "bought" through the right connections.

This criticism raises questions about the motives behind Tinubu’s participation at the event. Was it to strengthen ties between Nigeria and the Vatican? Or was it merely a public relations strategy aimed at mending fences with the Christian community, particularly after months of backlash over religious exclusion?

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Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call on Nigeria’s Religious Balance

Babachir Lawal’s comments serve as a powerful reminder of the deep-seated issues surrounding religious inclusion and political representation in Nigeria. His critique of President Tinubu’s Vatican visit is more than just political commentary—it’s a call to action for a more balanced, fair, and inclusive governance structure.

As debates over the Muslim-Muslim ticket continue to evolve, the Nigerian government must reflect on the symbolic importance of representation in national and international affairs. Religious inclusivity should not just be a talking point during elections—it should be a guiding principle in all aspects of governance, from political appointments to international diplomacy.

For the Christian community, and indeed for all Nigerians, Lawal’s remarks may resonate as a demand for dignity and equality, not just in policy but in symbolism and presence. As Nigeria continues its journey toward democracy and unity, these issues will remain at the heart of national discourse.