Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has shed more light on his decision to quit the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He cited a manipulated primary process that he claims was rigged in favor of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the primary reason for his departure.
Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, Lawal explained that long-standing suspicions within the ADC suggested the party was being positioned to serve Atiku’s presidential ambitions, despite assurances of a fair primary. He noted that efforts to reach a consensus candidate collapsed when major contenders insisted on being the sole beneficiary, forcing the party to hold primaries.
Lawal alleged that Atiku’s supporters compromised the exercise, doctoring results and altering outcomes to favor the former vice president. He expressed dismay that many party members were willing to accept the irregularities in the name of peace, calling such acceptance unacceptable. He argued that reconciliation is impossible when the process has been deliberately manipulated.
The former SGF further questioned Atiku’s suitability for the presidency, asserting that his knowledge of Atiku’s political record convinces him that an Atiku administration would be worse than President Bola Tinubu’s current government. He declared that he does not want to find himself regretting a decision to work against Tinubu’s re-election.
In his words: “Surprisingly, across the board, Atiku and his team compromised nearly everyone, and results were falsified. Where primaries occurred, they were tampered with. Where outcomes didn’t favor them, they fabricated results.”
He added: “Everyone in ADC knows that primary was manipulated, massively rigged, and the results were falsified. What worries me is that everyone acted as if it was normal. I was shocked.”
Lawal concluded: “I know Atiku. I know his history and capabilities. I realize his presidency would be worse than Bola Tinubu’s. I don’t want to end up in a situation where I regret not opposing Bola Tinubu.”