Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has declared he would back President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election rather than support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, warning that an Atiku presidency would result in chaotic governance.
Lawal made the remarks during an appearance on the Naija Unfiltered Podcast, as reported by Vanguard. He cited his personal experience working with Atiku as the basis for his decision, alleging that the former vice president frequently reversed decisions after consulting others, creating an atmosphere of disorder.
Lawal's Allegations of Chaos in Atiku's Camp
Lawal stated that he initially considered supporting Atiku due to concerns over the suffering in northern Nigeria. He explained, "I wanted to work for Atiku. I had the belief that the North, the way we are suffering, we should not surrender the presidency, that at least our own man will not, if nothing else, stop the decline we are in."
However, his time working alongside Atiku changed his perspective entirely. Lawal alleged, "Everything you do with him, there's chaos. He will call you and tell you, 'Do this,' and then you do it, then front you are back." He added that disputes over political appointments often fueled the confusion, with agreed decisions sometimes overturned following outside interventions.
When pressed on his preference for Tinubu, Lawal did not mince words. "I'd rather go with Bola than Atiku because when Nigeria crashes with Bola, it might be an orderly crash, but with Atiku it would be a chaotic one," he said. He further stated, "Because he's not a good man."
Peter Obi's Rejection of Atiku's Running Mate Offer
Lawal also revealed that Atiku had asked him to approach former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi about serving as his running mate for the 2027 election. According to Lawal, Atiku proposed completing one term in office before pushing for a constitutional amendment to introduce a single six-year presidential term, after which power would rotate beginning with the South-East and North-Central zones.
Lawal said he reached out to Obi on account of their existing relationship, but Obi rejected the proposal. "He says his survey shows him that they are unlikely to win if he pairs with Atiku," Lawal quoted Obi as saying. Obi reportedly told Lawal he would rather stay out of the race altogether than join a ticket he believed could not win.
Lawal said he conveyed Obi's response to Atiku and later made further efforts through prominent Igbo figures to change Obi's mind, but those attempts also came to nothing. The comments come as opposition figures continue to explore potential alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lawal's Prediction for 2027 Presidential Race
In a separate report, Legit.ng noted that Lawal had previously said Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso would be a formidable pair for the 2027 presidential election. Lawal made that prediction during a televised interview, assigning specific winning chances to each major contender.
The former SGF also weighed in on Atiku Abubakar's prospects, following his public fallout with the ex-vice president. Lawal's latest statements underscore the ongoing maneuvering among political figures as the 2027 election cycle approaches.
