●Former SGF quits ADC over “rigging machine”, says Atiku never visited insurgency-hit communities, lacks national inclusivity
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal has declared that ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar is “completely detached from what is bothering Nigerians,” while accusing the ADC presidential primary of being a “fraudulent charade” rigged for Atiku.
Lawal spoke Tuesday on _Frontline_ on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, days after resigning from the African Democratic Congress on Monday, June 1, 2026. He cited “massive irregularities” in the party’s presidential primary and said he refused to be part of a “rigging machine.”
*“Never visited, never condemned, never apologized”*
Lawal said leadership must show empathy in moments of national crisis. “Have you ever seen Atiku pay condolence to communities ravaged by insurgency? Never. Have you ever heard him condemn Boko Haram killings? Never. Have you ever seen him attend a wedding in a church? Never,” he said.
He argued that Nigerians in rural areas bear the worst burden of insecurity and hardship, and that “leadership without visible empathy creates distrust.”
Lawal, an early ADC founding member, said the opposition coalition was collapsing because “everybody joins just to be the sole candidate.” Once candidacy looks uncertain, he said, actors “move and look for alternatives.”
He described the ADC primary process as opaque, alleging delegates were counted arbitrarily and “consensus candidacies” emerged with no election. “We will never be part of anything that will truncate democracy,” he stated.
Assessing opposition figures, Lawal said Rotimi Amaechi lacks broad national appeal, while Peter Obi’s position in coalition talks was “unstable and politically sensitive.”
He backed Mohammad Hayatu-Deen as the most competent. “On basis of merit, capabilities, Hayatu-Deen tops them all because he’s a well-rounded corporate guru. If we go the North way, Hayatu-Deen would have been my preferred candidate,” Lawal said.
Lawal also questioned Atiku’s political base, saying his entourage “doesn’t reflect national inclusion” and consists mainly of “a few Igbos and Fulani people.” He added that Atiku’s 25 adult children, mostly in business, were “waiting for their father to take over government” like “other Seyi Tinubu.”
Responding to his own SGF-era corruption allegations, Lawal said EFCC investigated and the court dismissed the case on “no-case submission.” He claimed it was political. He also revisited the Obasanjo-Atiku fallout, saying it exposed “trust deficit” and “power struggle” at the heart of elite politics.
Lawal has withdrawn to Adamawa for consultations before deciding his next political move ahead of 2027. His exit follows a wave of defections from ADC by Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso to form the Nigeria Democratic Congress.
