Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, resigns from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), saying the party’s presidential primary outcome was manipulated to favour former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar. Multiple outlets report that Lawal publicly disputes the primary result and frames his resignation as a decision not to support Atiku’s candidacy. He alleges that the primary was rigged, including claims that Atiku and his associates benefited from the process.
Other reports describe an escalating exchange between Lawal and Atiku’s side. The Punch reports that Atiku and Babachir trade words amid the accusations, with Atiku’s camp denying claims of rigging. Vanguard also reports that the ADC electoral committee chairman in Adamawa State, Dr. Nicholas Msheliza, rebuts Lawal’s allegations and accuses him of attempting to influence or alter the primary outcome, while warning that evidence may be released.
Overall, the dispute centres on the credibility of the ADC presidential primary result ahead of the 2027 election, with Lawal’s resignation and allegations prompting rebuttals and counter-claims from party officials and Atiku’s camp.
