Former Buhari Aide Accuses Party Leadership of Manipulating Electoral Process, Vows to Oppose Atiku’s 2027 Presidential Ambition
By A1NEWS International / June 1,2026
ABUJA, Nigeria — Fresh cracks have emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the resignation of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, who has accused the party leadership of orchestrating widespread electoral irregularities during its recently concluded presidential primary.
Lawal’s dramatic exit from the opposition party has intensified controversy surrounding the primary election that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
In a strongly-worded statement released on Monday, the former SGF alleged that the party’s internal electoral process was manipulated in favour of Atiku, describing the exercise as a “disgraceful charade” that undermined democratic principles and betrayed the expectations of party members.
The allegations come amid mounting concerns over internal democracy within opposition parties and could potentially deepen divisions within a coalition already grappling with post-primary tensions.
Lawal Claims ADC Primaries Were “Massively Rigged”
In his public declaration announcing his resignation from the party, Lawal alleged that the presidential primary and other internal contests were systematically manipulated to ensure Atiku’s emergence as the party’s standard bearer.
According to him, the irregularities went beyond isolated incidents and reflected a broader pattern of electoral manipulation.
“I am exiting the ADC because its just concluded primaries were at all levels massively rigged in favour of Abubakar Atiku. I sense a conspiracy of silence, of which I want no part,” Lawal stated.
The former SGF claimed that many party members appeared willing to overlook the alleged irregularities, a development he said raised serious questions about the party’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
He further alleged that election results were either written or rewritten to favour preferred candidates.
“Results were just written or rewritten to favour him and his coven. Even where they allowed some semblance of election to hold, the winners were simply replaced with members of his syndicate. In the real sense, it was a disgraceful charade,” he alleged.
Fears of a “Rigging Machine” Ahead of 2027
Explaining the rationale behind his departure, Lawal said he could not remain in an organisation he believes may become a vehicle for electoral manipulation during the 2027 general elections.
According to him, staying in the ADC would amount to endorsing practices that conflict with democratic ideals.
“I do not intend to be part of a rigging machine in the 2027 elections, and I cannot avoid doing so if I remain in the party,” he declared.
The remarks represent one of the strongest public criticisms yet leveled against the ADC since it emerged as a major platform for opposition politicians seeking to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2027.
Political analysts say Lawal’s accusations could fuel wider debates about internal party democracy and electoral credibility ahead of the next election cycle.
Lawal Prefers Tinubu to Atiku?
Perhaps the most controversial aspect of Lawal’s statement was his blunt assessment of the two leading political figures expected to dominate the 2027 presidential race.
The former SGF argued that supporting Atiku’s presidential ambition could inadvertently strengthen President Bola Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.
In a startling political calculation, Lawal suggested that despite his criticisms of the current administration, Tinubu could ultimately prove a better option than Atiku.
“For me, working for Atiku means giving Tinubu an automatic ticket to a second term, which gives me nightmares,” he stated.
He added: “I believe Tinubu might, comparatively speaking, end up a better Nigerian president than Atiku could ever be, as bad as Tinubu currently is and possibly could ever be.”
The statement is expected to trigger intense political reactions across party lines, particularly among opposition supporters seeking a united front against the ruling administration.
Opposition Coalition Faces Internal Turbulence
Lawal’s resignation adds to growing signs of discontent within sections of the ADC following the presidential primary.
The development comes shortly after former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, also questioned the credibility of the primary process and rejected the outcome.
Amaechi had alleged that several party members were denied the opportunity to vote and described aspects of the process as inconsistent with the principles of fairness and transparency.
The emergence of multiple complaints from senior party figures threatens to complicate efforts by the ADC to present itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
ADC Defends Primary Process
Despite the allegations, ADC leaders have maintained that the presidential primary reflected the will of party members.
The party announced that Atiku secured a decisive victory with 1,846,370 votes.
According to official results:
- Atiku Abubakar polled 1,846,370 votes.
- Rotimi Amaechi secured 504,117 votes.
- Mohammed Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes.
Defending the exercise, ADC National Chairman David Mark insisted that the contest was conducted fairly and that party members were given the freedom to choose their preferred candidate.
While acknowledging that no election is entirely perfect, Mark argued that the process was transparent and credible.
He noted that there remains room for improvement in future internal elections.
Atiku Yet to Respond
As of the time of filing this report, Atiku Abubakar had not publicly responded to Lawal’s allegations.
Political observers are closely monitoring developments to see whether the former vice president will address the claims directly or continue focusing on reconciliation efforts within the party.
Sources within the ADC indicate that Atiku has already begun engaging key stakeholders and former rivals in an effort to heal divisions and strengthen party cohesion ahead of the 2027 campaign season.
From APC Exit to ADC Departure
Lawal’s latest political move marks another significant chapter in his evolving political journey.
The former SGF, who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in June 2025 amid disagreements over the party’s direction and internal politics.
His decision to subsequently align with the ADC was viewed by many analysts as part of a broader opposition realignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, his latest resignation suggests growing dissatisfaction with developments inside the opposition coalition.
What Next for the ADC?
With prominent figures publicly questioning the integrity of its internal processes, the ADC faces mounting pressure to address allegations of manipulation and reassure members about its commitment to democratic principles.
Political analysts warn that failure to effectively manage the fallout could weaken the party’s efforts to build a formidable coalition capable of challenging the ruling APC in 2027.
The controversy also raises broader questions about whether opposition parties can convincingly advocate electoral reforms at the national level while facing accusations of irregularities within their own ranks.
Babachir Lawal’s resignation from the ADC has opened a new front in the battle for Nigeria’s political future ahead of the 2027 general elections. His allegations of widespread rigging, result manipulation, and favouritism toward Atiku Abubakar have intensified scrutiny of the party’s internal democratic processes and exposed emerging fractures within the opposition coalition.
As the ADC struggles to contain growing discontent and preserve party unity, the controversy underscores the challenges facing political parties seeking to convince Nigerians that they can offer a credible alternative built on transparency, accountability, and democratic values.
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