The camp of ADC presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has dismissed allegations by former SGF Babachir Lawal that the party’s presidential primary was manipulated, describing the claims as baseless and politically motivated.
The Media Office of Atiku Abubakar said Babachir’s criticism of the ADC primary lacked evidence and unfairly attacked party members across the country.
“Babachir’s attempt to present himself as a defender of transparency raises questions because many Nigerians still remember his exit from public office during the controversial grass-cutting contract scandal,” the statement said.
The Atiku camp noted that a former official linked to allegations of conflict of interest should not position himself as an authority on electoral integrity.
It said that Babachir failed to provide documents, witnesses, or verifiable facts to support his claims that the primary process was rigged.
The media office maintained that the ADC presidential primary took place across thousands of wards and produced a clear outcome.
It accused Babachir of relying on conspiracy theories and personal attacks instead of presenting evidence.
The statement also highlighted what it described as contradictions in his remarks.
According to the statement, Babachir condemned alleged electoral manipulation while also praising what he called President Tinubu’s “superior rigging machine.”
The Atiku camp questioned why he appeared to admire the same practice he publicly condemned.
The statement further accused Babachir of resorting to ethnic and religious sentiments after failing to secure support for his preferred candidate.
It argued that such rhetoric does not address pressing national issues such as insecurity, unemployment, rising food prices, and economic hardship.
In response, the Atiku camp urged political actors to focus on solutions that improve the lives of ordinary Nigerians rather than promote division.
The statement also pointed to the emergence of Omar Suleiman, identified as Babachir’s cousin, as the ADC governorship candidate in Adamawa State.
According to the media office, Babachir has not explained why he rejects the presidential primary result while accepting the governorship outcome from the same process.
It said that consistency would require him to reject all outcomes from the exercise if he truly believed the process lacked credibility.
The statement described his position as selective outrage driven by disappointment rather than principle.
The Atiku camp dismissed Babachir’s comments about the former vice president’s family as irrelevant to Nigeria’s current challenges.
The statement noted that Nigerians are more concerned about hunger, school fees, insecurity, business closures, and the rising cost of living than the size of a politician’s family.
It, however, added that many communities now live under the threat of kidnapping and violent crime, making economic recovery and security the country’s top priorities.
The media office said Nigerians are familiar with Atiku Abubakar’s record in public service and business,
arguing that his political appeal cuts across ethnic, religious, and regional lines, making him a major force ahead of the 2027 election.
“Democracy guarantees participation but does not guarantee victory. It added that political actors should accept election outcomes whether they favour them or not.
“The 2027 election would be decided by Nigerian voters and not by what it described as post-primary bitterness, ethnic rhetoric, or conspiracy theories.”
External Links
African Democratic Congress (ADC)
Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)
Atiku Abubakar Official Website
