‘I Refused To Carry Out Babachir Lawal’s Criminal Directive’ – ADC Primary Returning Officer

The Returning Officer for the Adamawa primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Nicholas Msheliza, has accused former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, of attempting to influence and alter the outcome of the party’s recent presidential primary.

Naija News understands that Msheliza, the chairman of the ADC electoral committee in Adamawa State, made the allegation in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Msheliza said he rejected Babachir Lawal’s request to reverse the outcome in Hong Local Government Area in favour of his candidate, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, over former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar.

While threatening to release evidence to support his claims, Msheliza insisted the results reflected the actual votes cast.

According to him, Atiku won Hong LGA with 11,991 votes, while Hayatu-Deen polled 2,493 votes and former Minister Rotimi Amaechi got 377 votes.

He said, “When Babachir Lawal got wind of the results, he called and requested that I reverse the results to favour his candidate. I refused to carry out his criminal directive.”

Msheliza further alleged that shortly after his refusal, Lawal dissolved the local electoral committee and set up a parallel structure that conducted an illegal exercise across several LGAs, including Hong, Madagali, Michika and Mubi North.

He claimed the move produced concocted results and contradicted the official tally already recorded by the original committee.

He stated, “This was done without consultation and without proper electoral materials. The original results had already been documented before the parallel team arrived.” 

Msheliza further challenged Lawal to release his own result sheets for public comparison with the official records, stressing that he was prepared to present documentary evidence backing his account.

He also questioned Lawal’s conduct, adding that his actions were inconsistent with the integrity expected of his office and public standing.