Indeed ADC Should Replace Atiku With Better Candidate To Win Before INEC Deadline Runs Out -Lawal

According to a report by The Cable News, on Saturday, June 7, 2026, Babachir Lawal has restated and reinforced his earlier criticisms concerning the presidential aspiration of Atiku Abubakar under the platform of the African Democratic Congress.

In a detailed Facebook post shared over the weekend, Lawal responded to backlash triggered by his earlier statements about the former Vice President, making it clear that he stands by his position despite the growing criticism.

He had recently exited the ADC, accusing the party of internal irregularities during its presidential primaries, which he insists were structured in a way that unfairly favoured Atiku and individuals aligned with him.

Lawal maintained that the selection process was not transparent, alleging that manipulation occurred across different stages of the primaries to secure an advantage for the former Vice President.

He further argued that, in his assessment, Atiku does not possess the political strength or electoral appeal required to unseat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general election.

He also lamented that many of those responding to his comments have shifted focus away from the substance of his claims and instead directed personal attacks at him.

According to him, the core issues he raised regarding party processes and leadership capability have largely been ignored in public discourse.

The former SGF further addressed accusations that his remarks were ethnically motivated, stressing that his criticisms were strictly political and based on leadership assessment rather than ethnic sentiment.

He insisted that political discussions should revolve around competence, track record, and the ability to govern effectively, rather than being interpreted through ethnic or sectional lenses.

Lawal also revisited the circumstances surrounding his removal from office during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

He suggested that the incident was influenced by political considerations rather than purely administrative or legal grounds.

He added that subsequent legal processes involving the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ultimately cleared him of wrongdoing, claiming that multiple witnesses presented during the proceedings testified in his favour.

He further explained that the disputed matter at the time was linked to development-related initiatives in the North-East, particularly projects tied to environmental restoration and agricultural support in the region.

According to him, the court process affirmed that he was not involved in any misconduct regarding the award or execution of those contracts.

Lawal also emphasised that citizens have both the right and responsibility to critically evaluate individuals seeking high political office, especially the presidency, based on their character and past performance.

He argued that such scrutiny is necessary for democratic accountability and should not be misconstrued as personal hostility.

“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,” he said.

He concluded by reiterating his position that Atiku should not be the preferred candidate of the ADC, insisting that the party must rethink its strategy if it hopes to remain competitive in future elections.

“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 timetable runs out on them,” he said.