‘Replace Atiku With A Qualified Candidate’ – Babachir Lawal Charges ADC

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has said the African Democratic Congress (ADC) stands no chance of winning the 2027 presidential election unless it replaces its presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, with what he described as a more qualified candidate.

Naija News reports that Lawal, who recently resigned from the ADC after falling out with Atiku and the party, said the former Vice-President lacked the “cosmopolitan” outlook required to lead a diverse country like Nigeria.

He made the claims in a statement titled, ‘My Kachalla II’, which he said was a response to insults and threats he received after his earlier criticism of Atiku.

Lawal questioned what he described as Atiku’s silence over killings, kidnappings and attacks by bandits in different parts of the country.

He asked why the former Vice-President had allegedly failed to publicly sympathise with victims of violent attacks.

Lawal asked, “Why has he never lent a voice to those condemning Kachalla Bello Turji and his colleagues after burning, kidnapping and killing thousands of Hausa victims, sometimes happening in Mosques and markets?

“Why has he not done so when the same thing happened in Tiv or Idoma lands?

“Why is he silent when it happens in Birom, Mupum, Irigwe and Ngas lands in Plateau State? What did he say or do after the kidnapping and brutal murder of the First Class Hausa Emir of Gobir a Moslem like himself? What did he say or do when Christians were massacred in a Church in Suleja or in Owo? Why did he recant his condemnation of the brutal and barbaric murder of Debora Samuel?”

The former SGF said Nigerians had a right to interrogate the character and competence of anyone seeking to become President.

“Could it be because all the victims are not of his tribe/race? Could it be this is the trend we should expect if per remote chance he becomes President?” he asked.

Lawal also questioned Atiku’s reputation as a businessman and lover of education.

He asked, “Then how come that some of his businesses are either in distress, leased out, or he has divested from them?

“Now someone tell me, are we wrong to enquire into the character and competence of someone who wants to be a Commander-in-Chief of our military and the Sole Manager of our common patrimony?”

Lawal said he would not pretend to be unconcerned about Atiku’s ambition.

He further stated, “Should we feign nonchalance to someone who once said he would ‘enrich his friends’? No, it is my right to interrogate the character and competence of someone who seeks to be my President.

“He is free to step down his ambition if he does not want to be so queried.

“Indeed, I would urge ADC to replace this man with a more qualified candidate if they want to have any hope of winning the presidential election before INEC’s timetable runs out on them.”

Lawal said he meant well for Nigeria and would not be intimidated by attacks from Atiku’s supporters.

“I mean well for my country. But as I had written in a WhatsApp message to Atiku Abubakar himself on 19th December, 2025, I will not lie low and allow his goons to lynch me, be it physically or on social media,” he said.