Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), alleging that the party’s presidential primary was manipulated in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Ex-SGF Lawal announced his resignation in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Monday, saying he could no longer remain in a party whose primary process he believed was flawed.
“I am exiting the ADC because its just concluded primaries were at all levels massively rigged in favour Kachalla Abubakar Atiku,” he said.
Mr Atiku emerged as the ADC presidential candidate after defeating former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s primary election.
Lawal alleged that results were altered to favour Atiku and his supporters, adding that some winners were replaced even in areas where voting took place.
“Results were just written or rewritten to favour him and his coven. Even where they allowed some semblance of election to hold, the winners were simply replaced with members of his syndicate. In the real sense it was a disgraceful charade,” he said.
He added that he could not remain in a party that, in his view, might use similar tactics during the 2027 general election.
Lawal also accused Atiku and some of his associates of pursuing ethnic and religious interests rather than national development. He further argued that supporting Atiku’s presidential ambition could make it easier for President Bola Tinubu to secure re-election in 2027.
“While I will be tweaking my plans for the future and consulting with like-minded colleagues on how to stop this incompetent octogenarian from coming close to the presidential office, I will in the meantime retire to my village farm,” he said.
The resignation comes amid controversy surrounding the ADC presidential primary held on May 25.
Before the final results were announced, Hayatu-Deen distanced himself from the process, citing concerns about alleged vote manipulation and the conduct of the election. Amaechi also raised concerns about the exercise.
However, Hayatu-Deen later ruled out challenging the outcome, saying he had chosen party unity and the goal of building a credible opposition ahead of future elections.
Babachir Lawal joined the ADC after leaving the ruling All Progressives Congress in June 2025. He said he would spend time consulting political associates on his next steps while continuing to oppose Atiku’s presidential ambition.
