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Atiku and Lawal exchange words over ADC presidential primary results as Lawal exits party
via Punch Nigeria8 min read
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, engaged in a verbal dispute regarding the African Democratic Congress ADC presidential primaries, which resulted in Atiku's victory. Atiku secured 1,846,370 votes, surpassing former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman-politician Mohammed Hayatu-Deen. Lawal, who recently resigned from the ADC, accused Atiku of influencing the primary outcomes, alleging that results were manipulated to favor him. He stated his exit from the party was due to the "massively rigged" primaries, which he described as a "disgraceful charade." Lawal also vowed not to participate in any rigging for the 2027 elections, asserting that supporting Atiku would be akin to giving President Bola Tinubu a second term. In response, Atiku's Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, denied the manipulation claims, stating the primaries reflected the will of party members. Shaibu accused Lawal of making unsubstantiated allegations and highlighted Lawal's alleged political inconsistency, questioning why he accepted primary results in Adamawa State where his cousin became a governorship candidate. Shaibu also referenced Lawal's past involvement in the "grass-cutting scandal" during former President Muhammadu Buhari's administration, suggesting Lawal's criticisms stemmed from dissatisfaction with the outcome rather than genuine concerns about electoral integrity. Meanwh
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