Why I Won’t Back ADC, APC – Babachir Lawal Says, Reveals Presidential Candidate He Might Vote For

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

Naija News understands that Lawal alleged that the exercise was manipulated and insisted that he possesses evidence to support his claims.

Speaking during a television interview on Tuesday, the former ADC North-East Vice Chairman maintained that the results announced by the party did not reflect the actual votes cast in several locations.

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

According to Lawal, documents in his possession show discrepancies between results recorded at local levels and those eventually submitted to the party’s national collation centre.

“I have evidence. I have evidence from a primary, from a local government, for example, the results of the election returned was Hayatu-Deen had 20,000 votes, whereas Atiku Abubakar had 1,000 and something votes,” he said.

“But the result that ended up in Abuja was reversed, was inverted.”

The former SGF also alleged that some officials involved in the collation process privately raised concerns about how results were treated.

He claimed that a state returning officer justified the alteration by saying it would be embarrassing for Atiku to lose in his home state.

Lawal further questioned why results from Adamawa allegedly took several days to reach Abuja.

“It took our own returning officer close to three days before the results were submitted in Abuja. What were they doing with the results?” he asked.

Lawal insisted that his objection was based on principle rather than personal opposition to Atiku.

“If I think Atiku had won free and fair and square, I’ll kill myself supporting him, campaigning for him,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria cannot produce quality leadership if the process through which leaders emerge 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 comments that attracted criticism for their ethnic and religious undertones.

When asked whether he would withdraw the remarks, Lawal responded: “I will not.”

He linked his views to experiences of discrimination he claimed to have faced as a Christian from the Kilba ethnic group in Adamawa State.

Lawal also reiterated his support for Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, whom he described as the most qualified among the presidential aspirants.

“By all standards, the Nigeria that we want to bequeath to another leader today, of the three, no one comes close to Hayatu-Deen,” he said.

He praised the economist’s corporate background and professional accomplishments, arguing that competence should be the major consideration in selecting national leaders.

The former SGF disclosed that he had effectively withdrawn from active partisan politics and was undecided on whom to support in the next presidential election.

“I have now retired from politics. I’m not 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.”

Pressed on whether he would support a possible alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Lawal said he had yet to make a decision.

Lawal added that he had ruled out supporting both the APC and ADC and was waiting to see other candidates that may emerge ahead of the 2027 election.

He said: “I’m still waiting. At least I’ve made a choice so far. I eliminated APC. Now I’ve eliminated ADC. I’m waiting for other people to throw up their candidates.”