Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that President Bola Tinubu would be extremely difficult to defeat in the 2027 general election if “the parameter for winning is rigging.”
Lawal made the remark on Monday while appearing on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.
Responding to a question on whether Tinubu had effectively secured victory ahead of the 2027 presidential election, Lawal alleged that the president would outmanoeuvre all opponents through electoral manipulation.
“Landslide. He will out-rig everybody,” he said.
“If the parameter for winning the election in Nigeria is rigging, nobody can face Bola Tinubu in this.”
The former SGF also criticised Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), suggesting that he would struggle against Tinubu if electoral manipulation became a deciding factor.
“If Atiku’s strength is in manipulating results, I wish him luck. He will meet the master rigger in the front. And then we are all the worse for it,” Lawal said.
“That’s our choice. Maybe that’s how Nigerians want their things. I don’t want to be part of anything.”
During the interview, Lawal was questioned about his frequent use of the term “Kachalla” when referring to Atiku.
“That is the title people like (Turji Bello) are calling their local leaders,” he said.
When asked if he was likening Atiku to a bandit leader or terrorist, Lawal defended his choice of words, saying the title is commonly used among Fulani communities.
“His people, in the bush, they call their leaders Kachalla. Is he not a Fulani man?” he said.
Asked whether the description was appropriate, Lawal pointed to the reaction of some Fulani groups following Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate.
“Fulanis are celebrating now that their brother has gotten the ticket,” he said.
“Isn’t it? And they are beginning to celebrate that they will produce the president. Why are they celebrating? Have you ever heard Atiku condemn all these kidnappings, massive killings?”