Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly condemned former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, describing his recent criticisms as “substance-induced fabrication of lies” and a deliberate attempt to smear his character.
In a sharply worded press release issued on Monday, the Atiku Media Office, said it was compelled to respond to Lawal’s “needless and senseless attack” on the former Vice President and 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), rather than ignore what it called his “verbal vituperation and utter rubbish.”
The statement emphasized that while Lawal has the right to resign from the ADC, as political parties are voluntary associations, he has no justification to level unfounded allegations against Atiku Abubakar.
“Accusing Atiku of religious bigotry or nepotism is one of the laziest and most ridiculous lies anyone can spread against the former Vice President,” the statement read. It described Atiku as “one of the most liberal politicians in Nigeria,” adding that his long public record on inclusivity is open for verification.
The Media Office turned the tables on Lawal, asserting that his comments were a projection of his own character.
“As far as we are concerned, Babachir was perfectly describing his own character rather than Atiku’s. The former SGF seeks power on the altar of dividing the people based on primordial sentiments,” the statement said.
“All his altercations with people are caused by his selfishness. He opportunistically panders to sentiments to achieve his ambition.”
The release further labeled Lawal a “notorious conflict entrepreneur” who is unfit to lecture Nigerians on what is good for the country.
It dismissed Lawal’s claim that he resigned from the ADC due to alleged rigging and manipulation during the primaries, noting that he provided no evidence to support his accusations. Instead, according to the statement, Lawal resorted to dragging Atiku’s family into the matter, revealing what it described as “personal animosity” against the former Vice President.
The Atiku Media Office urged Lawal to “search his conscience and stop feeding the cauldron of division and bigotry among Nigerians for his own selfish interests.”
“There is no such thing as a Muslim and Christian party in Nigeria,” the statement stressed. “When the outcome of a competition doesn’t favour you, you should petition the party to show proof of manipulations or rigging. It is however most irresponsible for a former SGF to turn himself into an agent of division.”
This latest exchange highlights growing tensions within opposition circles ahead of the 2027 general elections, as former allies continue to trade accusations following the conclusion of party primaries.
, Babachir Lawal, describing his recent criticisms as “substance-induced fabrication of lies” and a deliberate attempt to smear his character.){kind=link}