Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has intensified his criticism of ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, urging the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to replace him as the party's presidential candidate for the 2027 election. Lawal, who has been at odds with Atiku since the latter emerged as the ADC candidate, expressed his views on Saturday via a Facebook post.
Lawal recently resigned from the ADC, alleging that the party manipulated its primaries in favor of Atiku and his associates. In his latest post, he maintained that the primary exercise was rigged at multiple levels to benefit the former vice-president. He argued that Atiku lacks the capacity to defeat President Bola Tinubu in the upcoming election.
Lawal lamented that most of his critics focused on attacking him rather than addressing the issues he raised. He wrote: "Since my Kachalla 1 post, almost the whole of Nigeria's Fulani race has descended on me with all manner of insults and threats. ALL these insults are predicated on only two planks as follows but every single one of them avoided my arguments."
He emphasized that all presidential candidates for the 2027 election must face scrutiny, stating that Nigerians have a responsibility to interrogate the character and competence of those seeking the presidency. Lawal said: "No, it is my right to interrogate the character and competence of someone who seeks to be my President. He is free to step down his ambition if he does not want to be so queried."
Lawal reiterated his opposition to Atiku's presidential ambition and urged the ADC to consider presenting another candidate who could contest effectively against President Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He stated: "Indeed I would urge the ADC to replace this man with a more qualified candidate if they want to have any hope of winning the presidential election before INEC timetable runs out on them."
Lawal said his comments about Atiku were being misrepresented as an attack on an ethnic group, adding that political debate should focus on leadership, competence, and public record. He argued that criticism of political leaders should not be viewed through an ethnic lens.
He further criticized Atiku's silence on banditry and other security issues, questioning why the former vice-president has not publicly sympathized with victims of attacks perpetrated by Fulani bandits. Lawal also questioned Atiku's business acumen and the state of his companies, including Gotel Communications and Adama Beverages.
Lawal concluded: "No, it is my right to interrogate the character and competence of someone who seeks to be my President. He is free to step down his ambition if he does not want to be so queried. Indeed I would urge the ADC to replace this man with a more qualified candidate if they want to have any hope of winning the presidential election before INEC time table runs out on them."
