TDFormer Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Lawal cited alleged massive rigging in the party’s recently concluded presidential primary in favour of Atiku Abubakar.
Lawal, who served as the party’s North-East vice chairman, made the announcement via Facebook on Monday, just days after the ADC’s May 27, 2026 primary.
Abubakar had emerged as the party’s presidential candidate with 1,846,370 votes out of over 2.5 million cast.
In his statement, Lawal accused the process of being manipulated to favor Atiku, whom he described as “incompetent, a tribal bigot, and ‘Kachalla’”—a term implying bandit leader.
He insisted that the results were “written to favor Atiku” and vowed not to be part of what he called a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Lawal Says Tinubu Better Than Atiku
Surprisingly, Lawal praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the incumbent might prove to be a better leader than Atiku.
This marks a notable shift in tone, given Lawal’s past criticisms of Tinubu during the 2023 election cycle.
“I won’t be part of Atiku’s rigging machine.
“The ADC primaries were massively rigged, and I cannot in good conscience remain in a party that promotes such fraud,” Lawal declared.
He added that he plans to retire to his village and watch the 2027 race unfold from the sidelines.
Reactions and Context
Lawal’s resignation has sparked mixed reactions within political circles.
Some observers note that he has long been embroiled in internal clashes within the ADC, while others see his exit as a blow to the party’s credibility ahead of the general election.
As of press time, neither Atiku Abubakar nor the ADC leadership has issued a formal response to Lawal’s allegations.
The development underscores growing tensions within opposition ranks as Nigeria heads toward the 2027 presidential race.
Analysts say Lawal’s departure may embolden critics of Atiku within the party, while also raising questions about the transparency of ADC’s internal processes.
For now, Lawal’s dramatic exit adds another layer of intrigue to Nigeria’s evolving political landscape, with his sharp rebuke of Atiku likely to reverberate in the months ahead.
