Nigeria TV Info 

ADC Primaries: Atiku, Babachir Lawal Trade Blows as Ex-SGF Quits Party Over Alleged Rigging

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, have exchanged heated words following controversy surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries, which produced Atiku as the party’s flagbearer.

Babachir Lawal, who recently resigned from the ADC, accused the party leadership of conducting “massively rigged” primaries allegedly designed to favour Atiku Abubakar. He claimed the exercise lacked transparency, alleging that results were manipulated across different levels of the process.

In response, Atiku’s camp dismissed the allegations, insisting that the primaries were conducted in a credible and democratic manner across thousands of wards nationwide. They challenged Lawal to provide evidence for his claims, stating that none had been presented.

The Atiku camp further described Lawal’s resignation as politically motivated, arguing that his complaints stemmed from dissatisfaction with the outcome rather than any genuine concern about electoral integrity.

Lawal, however, maintained that he could not remain in a party he described as operating a “rigging machine,” adding that he would not participate in what he called a compromised internal electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The development has deepened tensions within the opposition coalition, raising fresh questions about unity ahead of the 2027 presidential race.