Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has voiced a strong preference for President Bola Tinubu over Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress. Lawal believes that Tinubu has the potential to be a superior leader for Nigeria compared to Atiku.
In a statement released to the press, Lawal cautioned against the dangers of an Atiku presidency, emphasizing that Tinubu would prove more effective if given another term in 2023. He described his refusal to back Atiku as a matter of personal conviction, asserting that he cannot support what he perceives as the harmful influence represented by the ADC candidate and his camp.
“It is my firm belief that Tinubu will, relatively speaking, end up being a better president for Nigeria than Atiku could ever aspire to be,” Lawal declared.
The former SGF took aim at northern political leaders who, despite widespread poverty and insecurity in the region, continue to rally behind Atiku. He questioned the logic of backing a northern aspirant when the objective should be to find a leader capable of reversing the region’s economic decline and security crises.
“I would have assumed that when northerners insist on a northern president, they would be looking for someone who can halt the downward spiral into poverty and insecurity, not an ineptocrat like Atiku,” Lawal remarked.
Lawal revealed plans to hold consultations with political allies in the coming weeks to devise strategies that would prevent Atiku from clinching the presidency in 2027. “I intend to adjust my future plans and engage with like-minded colleagues to stop this incompetent octogenarian from even getting close to the presidential office,” he concluded.