Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has reiterated his claim that the African Democratic Congress presidential primary was rigged, asserting that he possesses concrete evidence to back his allegations. Speaking on Channels Television's 'Politics Today' program, Lawal stated that he personally monitored the exercise and that assertions by supporters of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar were untrue.
“Don’t forget I was the National Vice Chairman (North-East). I was in the field during the exercise, so I have evidence. Atiku’s people are the ones trying to deny what they did. We are all human beings. We know what they did. I knew the primary was rigged at the point it was being done, and the results declared,” Lawal said.
Meanwhile, fresh political calculations ahead of the 2027 presidential election have gained momentum. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar held a crucial meeting with former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Abuja. The meeting comes amid growing consultations within the ADC over the selection of a vice-presidential candidate following the party's presidential primary, where Atiku emerged as the standard-bearer after defeating Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.
Sources within the party indicate that discussions have shifted toward building a formidable ticket capable of attracting broad national support. Although Atiku is said to have left the final decision on the vice-presidential slot largely to the party leadership, political insiders reveal that Amaechi remains one of the strongest contenders. The closed-door meeting has fueled speculation about a possible Atiku-Amaechi alliance, which many political observers believe could significantly reshape the opposition landscape.
In a new twist, veteran journalist and former presidential aspirant Dele Momodu has urged the ADC leadership to nominate him as Atiku's running mate. Momodu argued that a ticket comprising Atiku from the North and himself from the South would provide a strong platform to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress. He made the call in a statement posted on his social media platforms, accompanied by an infographic outlining how the ADC could win the presidential election if he were selected as the vice-presidential candidate.
Momodu, 66, previously ran for president on the National Conscience Party ticket in 2011 and declared interest in the 2023 presidential race on the PDP platform before withdrawing. Born in Ile-Ife, Osun State, his father hailed from Ihevbe in Edo State, while his mother was an indigene of Osun State.
ADC Leadership Dispute Intensifies in Court
In a related development, the ADC and its interim national secretary, Rauf Aregbesola, have asked Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja to withdraw from a suit on the party's leadership dispute, accusing the judge of bias. They urged the court to send the suit to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge.
The suit was filed by Nafiu Bala 'Gombe', who claims to be the authentic chair of ADC. Gombe is challenging the process that produced David Mark as interim national chairperson and Aregbesola as national secretary, arguing that their emergence was unlawful and contrary to the party's constitution. He has asked the court to nullify their appointments and restrain them from parading themselves as leaders of the party.
Opposing the applications for the judge to withdraw, Gombe asked the court to continue hearing the matter. The case, initially before Judge Emeka Nwite, went to the Supreme Court before returning to the Federal High Court and being reassigned to Lifu.
After hearing the parties, the judge noted that more than 20 applications were before the court, including preliminary objections and motions for recusal. Lifu observed that most of the defense's applications centered on requests for him to withdraw from the matter. He therefore decided to hear all the motions for withdrawal.
ADC's lawyer, Shaibu Aruwa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, moved a motion for recusal filed on June 2, seeking an order directing the judge to withdraw and return the case file to the Chief Judge for reassignment. Realwan Okpanachi, representing Aregbesola, also moved a similar motion. However, David Mark's lawyer did not file a recusal application, while INEC and former ADC chairman Ralph Nwosu also did not seek the judge's withdrawal.
Kalu-Kalu Agu, appearing for Nkemakolam Ukandu, the National Welfare Secretary of ADC who seeks to join the suit, noted that he had a motion for recusal and also sought an order staying further proceedings pending the hearing of his client's petition against the judge and the Chief Judge. After hearing the parties, Lifu held that Ukandu was not yet a party in the suit, as his motion for joinder had not been heard. The judge adjourned the matter till June 16 for a composite ruling on the recusal motions and further hearing.
