Atiku, Babachir clash over alleged plot to replace ADC governorship candidate

A fresh disagreement has erupted between former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, over the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket in Adamawa State.

The dispute followed claims by Lawal that Atiku was attempting to replace the party’s governorship candidate, Suleiman Omar, with Tukur Modibbo ahead of the 2027 elections.

Speaking during a telephone interview on Wednesday, Lawal alleged that the former vice president was working to substitute the candidate who emerged from the party’s primary election.

According to him, Omar was duly elected at the primaries and should remain the party’s flag bearer.

Lawal also accused Atiku of practising ethnic politics and urged Nigerians not to support his presidential ambition in the 2027 general election.

He alleged that Atiku’s style of politics was not in the country’s best interest, insisting that Nigerians should reject his candidature.

But Atiku swiftly dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and without foundation.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president denied having any involvement in moves to alter the outcome of the ADC governorship primary in Adamawa State.

“The allegations are entirely false, baseless and the product of the fertile imagination of those determined to create unnecessary tension within the ADC,” the statement said.

Shaibu maintained that Atiku had neither convened any meeting nor issued any directive seeking the replacement of the party’s governorship candidate.

He added that the former vice president remained committed to internal democracy and due process within the ADC.

The statement further alleged that those behind the claims were attempting to undermine the unity and growing support the party has continued to enjoy.

It called on party members and the public to disregard the allegations, insisting that the ADC would continue to abide by its constitution and respect decisions reached by its duly constituted organs.

The exchange comes amid heightened political activity within opposition parties as preparations gather momentum for the 2027 general election.