A fresh war of words has erupted between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal over the conduct of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, with both camps presenting sharply conflicting accounts of the exercise.
Lawal, who recently resigned from the ADC, has maintained that the party’s presidential primary that produced Atiku as its 2027 presidential candidate was manipulated. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, the former SGF said he possessed evidence of irregularities and insisted that the results announced by the party did not reflect what transpired in parts of the country. According to him, discrepancies existed between some local government-level results and figures eventually collated at the national level. He further alleged that Atiku’s supporters were attempting to deny what occurred during the exercise.
Lawal also rejected allegations that he was financially influenced by fellow presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, insisting that his support for the businessman was based on competence rather than monetary considerations. In the interview, he controversially remarked that if he ever needed financial assistance, he could call President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and receive support quickly.
However, Atiku’s camp has strongly dismissed Lawal’s allegations, describing them as unsubstantiated and politically motivated. In a statement issued by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president accused Lawal of making serious claims without presenting verifiable proof.
The statement argued that despite spending considerable time publicly alleging manipulation, Lawal failed to produce documentary evidence, witness testimony, official result sheets, recordings or formal petitions to substantiate his claims. The Atiku camp maintained that the ADC presidential primary was conducted across thousands of wards nationwide and reflected the democratic choices of party members.
Shaibu further suggested that Lawal’s criticisms stemmed from disappointment that his preferred candidate did not emerge victorious. According to the statement, Lawal had openly supported another aspirant before the primary and only challenged the process after the outcome went against his preference.
The Atiku camp also questioned what it described as contradictions in Lawal’s position, arguing that he portrayed Atiku as politically weak while simultaneously alleging that he possessed the influence to manipulate a nationwide primary involving thousands of party members. It further accused the former SGF of attempting to discredit Atiku among key constituencies through what it called speculative and divisive narratives.
The dispute has highlighted lingering divisions within the ADC following the presidential primary. Lawal resigned from the party shortly after the exercise, describing the process as a “charade” and alleging widespread manipulation in favour of Atiku. Former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and fellow aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen also expressed dissatisfaction with the outcome and questioned aspects of the process.
Meanwhile, some party figures have publicly sided with Atiku. Publisher and former presidential aspirant Dele Momodu dismissed Lawal’s allegations, arguing that claims of rigging should be supported by documentary evidence. Momodu questioned why no proof had been publicly presented if the alleged irregularities were as extensive as claimed.
As the controversy continues, the central issue remains unresolved: Lawal insists he possesses evidence of manipulation, while Atiku’s camp maintains that no credible proof has been produced publicly. The disagreement is likely to intensify scrutiny of the ADC’s internal processes as the party seeks to unite ahead of the 2027 general election.