Amaechi campaigned harder than Atiku for ADC presidential ticket —Babachir Lawal

By Jude Opara

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has renewed his criticism of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, insisting that former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi put in more effort than former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the race for the party’s 2027 presidential ticket.
Lawal made the remarks amid his ongoing exchange of words with Atiku over the conduct of the ADC primary election that eventually produced the former vice president as the party’s standard-bearer.
The former SGF maintained his earlier position that the exercise was compromised, reiterating allegations that the primary election was heavily manipulated.
Drawing a comparison between the leading contenders, Lawal argued that Amaechi actively canvassed support and engaged party stakeholders across the country ahead of the contest.
According to him, the former Rivers State governor entered the race with confidence and believed he stood a strong chance of securing victory through a transparent primary process.
“Someone like Rotimi Amaechi was very confident that if we go to primaries he would win. Everybody around him was extremely confident that Amaechi would win,” Lawal said.
He further stated that among the major aspirants, Amaechi was the most visible and active in seeking support for his presidential ambition.
“Among the three candidates, Amaechi was the one moving around, working hard to see that he got the ticket,” he added.
Lawal’s comments contrast sharply with his assessment of Atiku’s campaign efforts, which he suggested were less vigorous during the contest.
The latest remarks come after the former SGF’s departure from the ADC, a move that followed his public criticism of the party’s internal processes and leadership.
Before leaving the party, Lawal repeatedly alleged that the presidential primary that produced Atiku was “massively rigged,” claiming he possessed evidence to substantiate the accusation.
His allegations have continued to fuel debate within political circles over the credibility of the ADC’s nomination process ahead of the 2027 general election.
While Atiku’s supporters have defended the outcome of the primary, Lawal has remained adamant that the process failed to reflect the genuine preferences of party members.
The dispute underscores lingering divisions within the ADC and highlights the unresolved tensions that continue to trail the party’s preparations for the 2027 presidential election.