‘I Won’t Back ADC or APC’ – Babachir Lawal Opens Up on Political Choice

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal has stepped up his attack on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate.

It was gathered that Lawal alleged that the exercise was rigged and insisted he has evidence to back up his claims.

The former ADC North-East Vice Chairman told newsmen on Tuesday on a television interview that the results declared by the party were not commensurate with the votes cast in many places.

“First of all it was rigged,” Lawal said.

Documents in his possession reveal discrepancies between the results compiled at the local level and those eventually sent to the party’s national collation centre, Mr Lawal said.

“I’ve got proof. “I have data from a primary, for example, local government, the result of the return of election was Hayatu-Deen with 20,000 votes while Atiku Abubakar with 1,000 and something votes,” he said.

“But the result that went to Abuja was reversed, turned upside down.”

The former SGF also said some officials involved in the collation process had privately expressed concerns about the handling of results.

“A state returning officer said the change was justified because it would be embarrassing for Atiku to lose in his home state.

Lawal also wondered why results from Adamawa had been delayed in coming to Abuja for several days allegedly.

“It took almost three days for our own returning officer to submit the results in Abuja. “What did they do with the results?” he asked.

Lawal said his opposition to Atiku was on principle and not on personal animosity.

“If I believe Atiku won free and fair and square, I will kill myself supporting him, campaigning for him,” he said.

He said Nigeria cannot produce quality leaders if the process of emergence of leaders is flawed.

“If the process of emergence is fraudulent, is defective, the chances of producing good leaders will not be there,” he added.

The former ADC chieftain also defended earlier remarks that attracted flak for their ethnic and religious overtones.

When asked if he would take back the comments, Lawal said: “I will not.

He told of his experiences of discrimination as a Christian from the Kilba ethnic group in Adamawa State that he claimed to have suffered.

He reiterated his support for Mohammed Hayatu-Deen and said he was the best qualified of the presidential aspirants.

He said, “By all standards, of the three, none comes close to Hayatu-Deen as the Nigeria that we want to bequeath to another leader today.”

He praised the economist’s corporate background and professional accomplishments, asserting that competence should be the primary criterion in choosing national leaders.

The former SGF said he had effectively retired from active partisan politics and was still undecided on who to support in the next presidential election.

“I have now stepped away from politics. “I’m not out canvassing for votes for anybody,” he said.

I have one vote to myself that I keep to myself. “I might even vote for Omoyele Sowore.”

When asked whether he would support a possible alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Lawal said he was yet to take a decision.

Lawal also said he had ruled out supporting for both APC and ADC, while waiting for other candidates that may come up ahead of the 2027 election.

He said: “I’m still waiting. At least I have picked so far. I got rid of APC. I’ve eliminated ADC now. “I’m waiting for other people to put forward their candidates.”