ADC: Babachir Lawal delivers sharp rebuke to Atiku, Presidency mocks

The Presidency has responded to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal’s resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), calling it a setback for former Vice‑President Atiku Abubakar.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga posted on X on Monday that Lawal’s departure represented a “strong rejection” of Atiku and the ADC.

“Babachir David Lawal just handed Atiku Abubakar and his captured ADC a stinging rebuke, along with a bitter divorce,” Onanuga wrote, sharing a post by the former SGF.

According to DAILY POST, the reaction followed Lawal’s announcement on Facebook that he had resigned from the party over alleged irregularities in its recent primaries.

Lawal said the primaries at various levels were manipulated in favour of Atiku and his supporters, claiming that election results were altered and that some winners were replaced by individuals loyal to the former vice‑president.

The former SGF said he could not remain in a party he accused of operating a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He also accused Atiku and his allies of pursuing ethnic and religious interests, arguing that the former vice‑president’s emergence as a presidential candidate would ultimately strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.

Lawal further criticised northern political leaders and delegates, whom he accused of supporting Atiku’s emergence despite the region’s economic and security challenges.