Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has issued a scathing warning to Nigerians against voting for former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election.
Lawal’s rebuke followed his formal resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after leveling severe allegations of vote manipulation and process tampering during the party’s primary setup to favor Atiku.
“I Will Tweak Plans to Stop Him”
Speaking after severing ties with the ADC, Lawal accused Atiku and his allies of high-handedness and operating an internal “rigging machine” to capture the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 race.
He argued that Atiku’s insistence on running again lacks strategic foresight, warning that the former Vice President’s candidacy will ultimately fracture opposition votes and pave a smooth path for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election.
“I will be tweaking my plans for the future and consulting with like-minded colleagues on how to stop this incompetent octogenarian from coming close to the presidential office… I will, in the meantime, retire to my village farm, from where I will be watching Atiku and his band of wicked vote riggers and result manipulators mercilessly out-rigged and beaten to pulp by Tinubu’s ruthless and superior rigging machine.” — Babachir Lawal, Former SGF
Core Points of Friction
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ BABACHIR LAWAL'S ALLEGATIONS & STANCE │
├────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ • Alleged Primary Manipulation : Claims ADC delegates & primary list │
│ were altered to guarantee Atiku's emergence as candidate. │
│ │
│ • Ethnic & Religious Narrowness: Accuses Atiku's camp of pursuing │
│ parochial interests rather than broad-based opposition unity. │
│ │
│ • Electoral Liability : Asserts Atiku cannot beat Tinubu in │
│ 2027, urging Nigerians to reject repeat presidential bids. │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
(Sources: Public Declarations & Political Briefings)
Presidency & Atiku Camp React
The fallout generated swift reactions across major political corridors:
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Presidency’s Assessment: Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga mocked the opposition structure, describing Lawal’s departure as a “stinging rebuke and bitter divorce” that exposes the foundational instability of the opposition camp.
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Atiku’s Platform Defense: Supporters within Atiku’s camp dismissed Lawal’s outburst, maintaining that internal party processes remain open and democratic while reiterating Atiku’s commitment to contesting competitive primaries for the 2027 presidential ticket.
Ayodele Quadri
Correspondent
