‘I was told I’d be a minister, then my name disappeared’ — Lawani

Former Benue State Deputy Governor, Chief Steven Lawani, has revealed how he was allegedly assured of a ministerial appointment under President Bola Tinubu’s administration before his name was dropped shortly before the announcement.

Lawani, who served as deputy governor between 2007 and 2011, said he had been informed that he would be appointed a minister and had looked forward to the opportunity before receiving news that his name was no longer on the list.

Speaking in an interview with Daily Trust, the former deputy governor said the development came after his unsuccessful bid to become governor of Benue State under the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2023.

He disclosed that he had supported the APC’s campaign in Benue State after withdrawing from the governorship race, despite his disappointment over the circumstances surrounding the party’s primary election.

According to Lawani, he was later approached to help mobilise support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition in Benue State while he was in Dubai.

“When I was called upon to come and help the APC win, I was in Dubai, so I had to come back. And for some months, I was in charge in this state,” he said.

Lawani said he subsequently learnt that he would not be appointed a minister, despite earlier indications that he would be considered for the position.

“I was actually told that I would be made a minister and I looked forward to that and thanked the authorities. But three to four days to the announcement, again I was called and told that my name was not there,” he said.

He added that he accepted the development without holding a grudge against those involved.

“I said it was fine. I hold no malice against nobody. It was not happening to me for the first time,” he stated.

The former deputy governor further disclosed that he was later told that Tinubu intended to appoint him as an ambassador to one of the country’s key diplomatic destinations.

However, Lawani said he declined the proposed diplomatic role, explaining that he was financially independent and did not need a political appointment to sustain himself.

“Well, I was told that the president said he was going to make me an ambassador to one of the key countries, but I said no. I was not begging to eat. I have a business and followership, so I kind of decided that I was not going to serve as an ambassador,” he said.

Lawani, who remains an APC stakeholder in Benue State, said he continued to support the party despite not receiving the political rewards he had expected.

“I work for my party, but not everything you worked for you get. I have not gotten how I worked for the party, but that doesn’t discourage me from continuing to be a good party man,” he added.

The former deputy governor also expressed concern about the APC’s prospects ahead of the 2027 general elections, citing economic hardship, rising food prices and insecurity as issues that could affect public confidence in the ruling party.

He said the government needed to address the difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians, particularly the high cost of living and the challenges confronting farmers in insecure communities.

Lawani served as deputy governor under former Governor Gabriel Suswam for two terms and has remained active in Benue and national politics.