Abuja, Nigeria – Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), accusing the party of widespread rigging in its just-concluded presidential primaries in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
In a strongly worded statement posted on his verified Facebook page, Lawal described the primaries as “massively rigged” and launched a scathing attack on Atiku and his allies.
Lawal’s Explosive Resignation Statement
“I am exiting the ADC because its just concluded primaries were at all levels massively rigged in favour of Kachalla Abubakar Atiku,” Lawal wrote.
He added: “I will, in the meantime, retire to my village farm from where I will be watching Kachalla Atiku Abubakar and his band of wicked vote riggers and result manipulators mercilessly out-rigged and beaten to pulp by Tinubu’s ruthless and superior rigging machine. Then, it will be bye-bye to this octogenarian presidential wannabe. It will be bye-bye to the North for preferring a religious hegemonist over a competent world-renowned economist and corporate guru…”
The statement, titled “The Kachalla Series Part 1,” reflects deep divisions within the opposition party ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Context of the ADC Primaries
The ADC presidential primaries, which concluded recently, saw Atiku Abubakar emerge with a commanding lead, polling 1,846,370 votes. Other contenders, including former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, scored significantly lower (around 504,117 votes). Several prominent figures, including Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, had earlier rejected the results, citing widespread irregularities, voter suppression, and manipulation.
Lawal, who served as the ADC’s Vice Chairman for the North-East, had joined the party after resigning from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2025. He was initially part of the opposition coalition that adopted the ADC as its platform to challenge President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
Background and Political Fallout
Babachir Lawal’s exit comes amid ongoing crisis and factionalism within the ADC. Earlier in 2026, a faction in Adamawa State had attempted to suspend both Atiku and Lawal, though the national leadership declared the move a nullity.
Lawal’s resignation highlights the fractures in the opposition coalition, which had hoped to present a united front against the APC. His remarks also signal a surprising shift in tone, with indirect praise for President Tinubu’s political machinery while criticising Atiku’s suitability.
Reactions and Implications
The development is expected to further weaken the ADC as it prepares for future polls. Political observers note that the party’s internal wrangling over primaries, zoning, and leadership could undermine its chances in the 2027 presidential race.
This is a developing story. More reactions from key political stakeholders are anticipated in the coming hours.
