Atiku camp fires back at Babachir Lawal, defends ADC primary process

The media office of the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly rejected allegations by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, that the party’s recent presidential primaries were manipulated in favour of Atiku and his allies.

In a statement issued on Monday by Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku, the former vice president’s camp described Lawal’s criticism as an “emotionally charged outburst” driven by disappointment over the outcome of the exercise.

Lawal had recently announced his resignation from the ADC, alleging that the party’s presidential primaries were “massively rigged” to favour Atiku and accusing the party leadership of undermining internal democracy.

Responding to the allegations, Atiku’s media office dismissed the claims as baseless, insisting that the primaries were conducted across thousands of wards and produced a clear outcome that reflected the will of party members.

According to Shaibu, Lawal failed to provide any evidence to support his accusations.

“The ADC presidential primaries were conducted across thousands of wards and produced a clear and decisive outcome. What Mr. Lawal has offered Nigerians is not evidence. He has produced no documents, no verifiable facts, no credible witnesses, and no proof whatsoever to support his sensational allegations,” the statement said.

The Atiku camp also took aim at Lawal’s public record, arguing that his attempt to present himself as a champion of transparency and accountability was inconsistent with controversies that trailed his tenure in public office.

The statement referenced the “grass-cutting” contract scandal that led to Lawal’s removal from office as Secretary to the Government of the Federation during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

“It is perhaps the greatest irony of this entire episode that Mr. Babachir Lawal now seeks to reinvent himself as Nigeria’s newest apostle of integrity, transparency, and democratic virtue,” the statement added.

The Atiku camp further accused Lawal of selective criticism, noting that he had accepted the outcome of the ADC governorship primary in Adamawa State, which produced his cousin, Omar Suleiman, as the party’s candidate, while rejecting the presidential primary result.

According to Shaibu, if the process was truly flawed, Lawal should have rejected all outcomes arising from it rather than only those that did not favour his preferred candidate.

The statement also faulted comments allegedly made by Lawal regarding Atiku’s family and political standing, describing them as irrelevant to the issues facing Nigerians.

Shaibu argued that Nigerians were more concerned about economic hardship, insecurity, unemployment and rising living costs than personal attacks on political figures.

Defending Atiku’s political credentials, the statement said the former vice president remains one of Nigeria’s most recognisable political figures with support that cuts across ethnic, religious and regional lines.

“The Nigerian people know Atiku Abubakar. They know his record in public service. They know his achievements in business. They know his commitment to national unity and economic reform,” the statement said.

The Atiku camp maintained that democracy guarantees participation but does not guarantee victory, insisting that dissatisfaction with an election outcome should not automatically translate into allegations of manipulation.

It also accused Lawal of resorting to ethnic and religious sentiments after failing to secure support for his preferred candidate, warning that such rhetoric could deepen divisions rather than address Nigeria’s pressing challenges.

Concluding the statement, Shaibu said the 2027 presidential election would ultimately be determined by Nigerian voters rather than post-primary disputes and political grievances.

“While others manufacture conspiracies, Atiku Abubakar remains focused on solutions. While others traffic in bitterness, he remains committed to national unity. The 2027 election will be decided by the Nigerian people,” the statement said.

The exchange marks the latest escalation in the growing rift within the ADC following the party’s presidential primary, with divisions emerging among key stakeholders ahead of the 2027 general election.