By Lateef Ibrahim
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing alleged irregularities in the party’s presidential primary election that produced Atiku Abubakar as its candidate.
In a statement issued on Monday, Lawal said he could no longer remain in a party whose primary election he described as “massively rigged” in favour of the former vice president.
The former SGF argued that President Bola Tinubu remained a preferable choice to Atiku, whom he accused of lacking the qualities required to lead the country.
Lawal expressed disappointment that northern political stakeholders opted to support Atiku ahead of Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, whom he described as a globally respected economist and accomplished corporate leader.
According to him, the outcome of the ADC presidential primary did not reflect the will of party members, alleging that results were manipulated to ensure Atiku’s emergence as the party’s flagbearer for the 2027 election.
He claimed that in several instances, election results were allegedly altered in favour of Atiku and his allies, while candidates who genuinely won contests were replaced by preferred loyalists.
Lawal said his resignation was motivated by a refusal to be associated with what he termed a political structure capable of undermining future electoral processes.
The former SGF further declared that he would not participate in any political arrangement aimed at supporting Atiku’s presidential ambition in 2027.
Describing the primary exercise as a “disgraceful charade,” Lawal alleged that outcomes were predetermined and tailored to favour the former vice president and members of his political camp.
“I am exiting the ADC because its just concluded primaries were at all levels massively rigged in favour of Kachalla Abubakar Atiku,” he said.
Lawal also accused Atiku of promoting divisive politics and argued that the former vice president should not be entrusted with the nation’s highest office.
His resignation marks another high-profile departure from the ADC following the party’s presidential primary, adding to ong
