Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has called on Nigerians not to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election, alleging that the former PDP presidential candidate practices ethnic-based politics.
Lawal made the remarks while reacting to the controversy over the African Democratic Congress governorship ticket in Adamawa State.
According to him, Atiku is allegedly making efforts to substitute the party’s governorship candidate, Suleiman Omar, with Tukur Modibbo, despite Omar emerging from the party’s primary election.
“Atiku Abubakar wants to replace Suleiman Omar as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Adamawa State with Alhaji Tukur Modibbo.
“He wants to bring Modibbo to replace Omar, who was elected at the primaries.”
Based on the allegation, Lawal said Nigerians should not entrust the country’s leadership to Atiku in the next presidential election.
Atiku, however, rejected the claims, insisting he had no hand in any move to replace the ADC governorship candidate in Adamawa.
His media aide, Phrank Shaibu, described the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated.
“The allegations are entirely false, baseless and the product of the fertile imagination of those determined to create unnecessary tension within the ADC,” the statement read.
The statement further said, “At no time has His Excellency, Atiku Abubakar, held any meeting, issued any directive or participated in any discussion aimed at replacing the duly nominated governorship candidate of the party in Adamawa State.”
The former vice president’s camp also accused those behind the allegation of trying to create division within the ADC as the party continues to gain support.
“Those behind this fabrication are clearly uncomfortable with the growing unity and momentum within the ADC and have resorted to peddling falsehood in a desperate bid to sow discord where none exists,” it stated.
The statement urged party members, supporters and the general public to ignore the allegations, stressing that the ADC remains committed to internal democracy and due process in handling its affairs.
