Atiku Mocks Babachir Lawal Over Alleged Failed ADC Primary Rigging Plot

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LAGOS – Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has mocked former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG), Babachir Lawal, for displaying his frustra­tion after what he described as a failed attempt to rig the presi­dential primary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement on Sunday signed by Paul Ibe of Atiku Me­dia Office, the presidential candi­date of ADC noted that Babachir Lawal lacked adequate informa­tion on the role that he has con­sistently played in condemning terrorism and banditry, and proffering solution to the menace.

The statement reads, “We read with amusement but con­cern for the mental state of for­mer SGF Babachir Lawal, his latest attempt at revisionism of his disgraceful public service re­cord and failed efforts to cause the rigging of the ADC presidential primary.

“It’s becoming obvious that Babachir Lawal is going bun­kers, possibly from the abuse of booze. Instead of addressing the issue of his ignominious role in presiding over a scam in which he allegedly extorted money to deliver the presidential ticket, but failed because those charged with the responsibility of conducting the election stopped him in his tracks, Babachir Lawal has re­sorted to personal attacks against Atiku Abubakar.

“Babachir Lawal may have been preoccupied with hitting the sauce but it is public record that the Waziri had always spoken against terrorist and banditry attacks and shown empathy to communities that were attacked.

“Despite the fact that Atiku Abubakar is Fulani from Adama­wa, in the North East region, the ADC presidential candidate in the 2027 election has frequently spoken out and forcefully too in condemnation of terrorist and banditry attacks and the escalat­ing wave of kidnappings across Nigeria.

“When responding to these incidents, he often criticises the Federal Government and the leader of the government of the day, and in this dispensation, President Bola Tinubu, arguing that the country’s security archi­tecture is collapsing and that offi­cials rely on “empty statements” rather than taking decisive, pre­ventive action.

“It’s also on record that the Waziri Adamawa advocates for an overhaul of Nigeria’s coun­terterrorism framework. He has frequently called on the National Assembly to pass legislation that would allow state governments to arm their own security outfits with modern weapons to com­plement overstretched federal forces.”

According to the statement, Atiku Abubakar has also high­lighted the importance of local­ised efforts, urging community members to provide intelligence to security agencies and avoiding acting as informants for armed groups.

“In addition, he has proposed the creation of a National Vic­tims and Survivors Support Framework to ensure that af­fected communities receive psy­chological support, educational opportunities, and economic recovery programmes.

“In one of his most recent en­gagements, the former vice presi­dent proposed for a special courts to not only try these criminals but that those found guilty be handed capital punishment.

“When Babachir Lawal is eventually sober, he may wish to take out time to review some of the links of news reports in which Atiku Abubakar spoke against terrorist and banditry attacks and proferred solutions. Those engagements covered ev­ery state of the country without exception.”