The secretary to the government of the federation, Babachir Lawal, has told news reporters to ask the 'presidency' why he was suspended.
Lawal stepping out of the villa after his suspension
We
reported earlier that President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday, 19th April 2017, suspended the director-general of Nigeria Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ambassador Ayodele Oke and the Secretary to the Federal Government (SGF), Engr. Babachir David Lawal.
In an encounter with reporters shortly after his suspension was announced, a clearly shocked Babachir Lawal, the secretary to the government of the federation, told reporters to ask the “presidency” why he was suspended.
When he was informed that his suspension was announced by the presidency, he retorted: “Who is the presidency?”
It was gathered that Lawal had been in a meeting with the vice-president when the presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, announced his suspension pending investigations into the the award of contracts under the Presidential Initiative on the North East (PINE).
Below is the exchange of the sacked SGF and the state house correspondents as transcribed by TheCable News in full;
Reporters: Your suspension has just been announced. How will you react to the development?
Lawal: Who announced it?
Reporters: The presidency
Lawal: Then ask them. Why are you asking me? Who is the presidency?
Reporters: Have you been informed of the suspension?
Lawal: By who? About what. What about you? Have you been informed?
Reporters: Yes sir.
Lawal: By who?
Reporters: By the Presidency sir.
Lawal: I have not seen it. I should have been given… I have not seen the press release so I cannot comment on it.
Reporters: It is currently trending online. Are you doubting the authenticity of the statement?
Lawal: I have not seen it.
Reporters: Tell us the outcome of your meeting with the vice-president.
Lawal: I am always here. I always meet the vice-president. I used to come here even before I was made SGF.