Atiku Abubakar and Babashir Lawal Clash Over ADC Primaries
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Secretary to the Federal Government, Babashir Lawal, engaged in a public dispute on Monday concerning the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries that led to Atiku’s selection as the party’s candidate.
Atiku garnered 1,846,370 votes to secure the ADC presidential ticket, surpassing former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatudeen, who received 504,117 and 177,120 votes, respectively.
Lawal, who recently served as the leader of the ADC and was a key player in the opposition coalition against President Bola Tinubu for the upcoming 2027 elections, announced his resignation from the party on the same day. He accused Atiku of manipulating the results of the primary elections conducted nationwide.
In his resignation statement shared on social media, Lawal claimed, “I am leaving the ADC because the just concluded primary elections were massively rigged in favor of Kachala Abubakar Atiku at all levels.” He described the electoral process as a “sham” and highlighted a “conspiracy of silence” among party members.
Declaring his unwillingness to participate in any rigging schemes for the 2027 elections, Lawal expressed that supporting Atiku would effectively grant President Tinubu an automatic second term. In response, Atiku’s camp, represented by Senior Special Assistant on Public Relations, Puran Shaib, vehemently denied the allegations of electoral manipulation, asserting that the primaries accurately reflected the wishes of party members.
The Atiku camp alleged that Lawal was attempting to tarnish the party’s image and dismissing his claims as unfounded. Shaib emphasized that the ADC primaries were conducted across numerous districts, yielding clear results. He argued that Lawal’s critique lacked any substantive evidence and pointed out his prior acceptance of the primary process in other contexts.
Lawal’s past as Secretary to the Federal Government came under scrutiny as Atiku’s camp highlighted the irony of his self-portrayal as an advocate for integrity and transparency. Notably, Lawal was dismissed in 2017 amidst allegations linked to the notorious “mowing scandal,” although he has continuously denied any wrongdoing. The Atiku camp contended that Lawal’s posturing was driven by dissatisfaction with the election results rather than genuine concerns about electoral integrity.
Hayatudeen Declines to Contest ADC Primary Results
Meanwhile, Mohammed Hayatudeen dismissed any intentions to legally challenge the ADC presidential primary results, despite alleging widespread irregularities during the process. In a statement released post-primaries, he opted for party unity and the collective aim of establishing a credible opposition over personal political aspirations.
Having previously distanced himself from the primary process by boycotting the announcement of the results, citing concerns over vote manipulation, Hayatudeen later confirmed that he would not seek legal recourse after consulting with supporters and stakeholders. He acknowledged that the primaries did not live up to expectations but chose to refrain from pursuing a court challenge.
Reflecting on his campaign experience, he expressed gratitude to his supporters and reiterated the necessity for a united and principled opposition. Despite his disappointment, Hayatudeen encouraged his followers to remain committed to the values that had driven his campaign for a New Nigeria.
Ultimately, both the exchange between Atiku’s camp and Lawal, as well as Hayatudeen’s strategic pivot, reveal the complexities within Nigeria’s political landscape as the parties prepare for the approaching 2027 elections.
