Atiku: I don’t want to regret working against Tinubu – Babachir Lawal
Former Secretary to the Government Resigns from ADC, Cites Manipulated Primaries
Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has clarified the reasons for his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). In an interview on Channels Television’s “Politics Today” on Monday, Lawal expressed concerns about the party’s primary process, which he claims was manipulated to benefit former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Shortly before his television appearance, Lawal announced his resignation in a Facebook post. He articulated longstanding worries within the ADC regarding its alignment with Abubakar’s presidential ambitions, despite previous assurances that the party would conduct free and fair primaries.
Lawal noted that attempts to secure a consensus candidate were unsuccessful, as leading contenders insisted on being the sole beneficiaries of any agreement. Consequently, the party opted to hold contested primaries.
He alleged that these primaries were compromised by Atiku’s supporters, claiming that results in various locations were altered to favor Abubakar. Lawal stated that while many party members were aware of these irregularities, they expressed a willingness to accept the outcomes in the interest of peace.
“I found such a response unacceptable,” Lawal remarked, arguing that reconciliation would be challenging if party members believed the process had been deliberately manipulated.
Lawal also questioned Abubakar’s qualifications for the presidency. He voiced concerns that an Abubakar administration could perform worse than the current government of President Bola Tinubu.
Reflecting on his decision, Lawal emphasized his commitment to not supporting a candidate he believes could lead to adverse consequences for the nation. He stated, “I don’t want to find myself in a position where I will regret opposing Tinubu’s re-election.”
Lawal underscored the gravity of the situation, saying that many within the ADC are aware of the manipulation in the primaries but seem to normalize it in the pursuit of peace. He voiced skepticism about any potential reconciliation under such circumstances, arguing that it would be difficult to unite with those he believes have undermined democratic principles.
