Babachir Lawal Quits ADC After Atiku Emerges Presidential Candidate

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
In a resignation announcement, Mr Lawal alleged that the party’s presidential primary process was manipulated in favour of Mr Abubakar, describing the exercise as lacking credibility. He claimed the contest was “massively rigged” and said he could no longer remain in a party whose internal democratic processes had been compromised.
The former SGF’s departure marks a fresh setback for the ADC, which has grappled with internal disputes and factional disagreements in recent months as opposition figures seek to build a united front ahead of the next presidential election.
Mr Lawal, a key figure in opposition coalition efforts after leaving the APC in 2025, had previously pledged support for efforts to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2027. His resignation now raises fresh questions about cohesion within the ADC and the broader opposition movement.
Neither Mr Abubakar nor the ADC leadership immediately responded publicly to the allegations at the time of reporting. The development comes amid growing scrutiny of opposition realignment efforts and concerns over internal party unity ahead of the election cycle.