Babachir Lawal Dumps ADC After Atiku Emerges Presidential Candidate
Babachir Lawal Dumps ADC After Atiku Emerges Presidential Candidate, Backs Tinubu Over Former VP
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lawal, a prominent northern politician and former ally of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, stated that he could no longer remain in the party after what he described as a flawed and predetermined primary process that allegedly favored Atiku.
According to Lawal, the outcome of the ADC presidential primary had been “written” long before delegates cast their votes, accusing party leaders of manipulating the process to ensure Atiku’s emergence as the flagbearer.
The former SGF declared that he would not be part of what he termed Atiku’s “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 presidential election, stressing that his political principles would not allow him to support a process he considers undemocratic.
In a strongly worded criticism, Lawal further described Atiku as incompetent and accused the former vice president of promoting divisive politics along ethnic and religious lines. He argued that such qualities make Atiku unsuitable for Nigeria’s highest office.
“Atiku should not come close to the presidential office,” Lawal reportedly stated while explaining the reasons behind his departure from the party.
The development is expected to deepen existing cracks within the ADC as political alignments continue to shift ahead of the 2027 elections. Lawal’s resignation may also trigger further debate within opposition circles regarding the party’s future direction and its chances of mounting a formidable challenge against the ruling government.
Political observers say the latest fallout underscores the growing tensions surrounding opposition coalition efforts and highlights the challenges of maintaining unity among key political stakeholders with competing ambitions.
As the race toward 2027 gathers momentum, reactions are expected from both Atiku’s camp and ADC leadership regarding Lawal’s allegations and decision to leave the party.
