By By Elizabeth Ugbo
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, on Monday exchanged sharp words over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary that produced Atiku as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election. The dispute followed allegations of widespread rigging during the May 25 primary. While Lawal announced his resignation from the party, businessman and former presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen ruled out a legal challenge and urged party members to remain united.
Lawal Resigns, Alleges Massive Electoral Manipulation
Lawal, a former ADC chieftain and key opposition figure, accused Atiku of influencing the outcome of the party’s presidential primary.
In a statement posted on social media, Lawal alleged that party officials manipulated results across the country to favour Atiku.
“I am exiting the ADC because its just concluded primaries were at all levels massively rigged in favour of Kachalla Abubakar Atiku,” he said.
According to him, party officials rewrote results and replaced legitimate winners with Atiku’s loyalists.
Lawal described the primary as a “disgraceful charade” and said he could no longer remain silent.
He also vowed not to support Atiku’s presidential ambition, arguing that backing him would hand President Bola Tinubu an easy path to re-election.
Atiku’s Camp Rejects Allegations
However, Atiku’s camp dismissed the accusations and defended the integrity of the primary.
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku insisted that party members freely elected him.
Shaibu said Lawal failed to provide evidence to support his claims.
“What Mr Lawal has offered Nigerians is not evidence. He has produced no documents, no verifiable facts, no credible witnesses, and no proof whatsoever,” the statement read.
The former Vice President’s camp maintained that the primary took place across thousands of wards and reflected the will of ADC members.
Atiku Camp Questions Lawal’s Motives
Furthermore, Shaibu accused Lawal of accepting the same electoral process when it favoured his associates.
He noted that Lawal had not questioned the emergence of his cousin, Omar Suleiman, as the ADC governorship candidate in Adamawa State.
“Nigerians are entitled to ask whether the process was only credible when it favoured his family,” Shaibu stated.
The statement also criticised Lawal for allegedly introducing ethnic and religious sentiments into the debate.
According to Atiku’s camp, the 2027 election should focus on governance, economic recovery, and national security.
“The Nigerian people know Atiku Abubakar. They know his record in public service and business,” Shaibu added.
Hayatu-Deen Rejects Court Challenge
Meanwhile, former presidential aspirant Mohammed Hayatu-Deen ruled out any legal action against the outcome of the primary.
His decision followed speculation that he might challenge the exercise in court after alleging irregularities.
Hayatu-Deen had earlier boycotted the announcement of the election results, citing reports of vote manipulation.
At the time, he questioned how the ADC could criticise the Independent National Electoral Commission while tolerating similar practices within the party.
However, in a fresh statement titled “My Campaign, the Silent Majority and the Future of Our Democracy,” he announced that he would not pursue litigation.
“I have decided, after careful reflection and wide consultation, that I will not challenge the outcome in court,” he said.
Party Unity More Important Than Personal Ambition
Hayatu-Deen explained that Nigeria urgently needs a strong and credible opposition.
According to him, that objective outweighs individual political ambitions.
Although he expressed disappointment with the conduct of the primary, he said he had privately communicated his concerns to party leaders.
“The outcome of the May 25 primary did not fully meet my expectations,” he stated.
Nevertheless, he stressed that unity within the opposition remains critical ahead of the 2027 election.
Hayatu-Deen Reflects on Campaign Experience
The former presidential hopeful said he joined the ADC because he believed the party could offer a new political culture.
He said the party initially represented integrity, internal democracy, and national renewal.
Throughout the campaign, Hayatu-Deen said interactions with Nigerians convinced him that many citizens still desire competent leadership.
Despite losing the ticket, he thanked volunteers, donors, party members, and supporters across the country.
“What I will carry forward from this campaign is not bitterness, but gratitude,” he said.
Calls for Democratic Renewal
Hayatu-Deen urged Nigerians not to lose faith in the country’s democratic future.
He argued that political rhetoric alone cannot solve Nigeria’s challenges.
“It creates no jobs, lowers no food prices, secures no communities, and offers no pathway out of the national crisis,” he said.
He concluded that although his presidential campaign had ended, the struggle for national renewal continues.
“This campaign may have come to an end, but the larger task of building a stronger, fairer and more prosperous Nigeria continues,” Hayatu-Deen added.
