Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing what he described as widespread manipulation and irregularities during the party’s recently concluded primary elections.

In a strongly worded statement issued on Monday, Lawal accused the party leadership of orchestrating a “massively rigged” exercise designed to favour former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and his political associates ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The ADC recently conducted nationwide direct primaries to select candidates for governorship, National Assembly, and state legislative elections. The party also held its presidential primary, where Atiku emerged victorious after polling 1,846,370 votes. Former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi secured 504,117 votes, while businessman and former banker Mohammed Hayatu-Deen garnered 177,120 votes.

However, the outcome immediately generated controversy as both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen rejected the results and boycotted the official declaration ceremony held in Abuja.

‘A Disgraceful Charade’

Lawal, who shares political roots with Atiku in Adamawa State, alleged that the primaries were manipulated at every level to guarantee victory for the former vice-president and his loyalists.

Expressing disappointment over what he termed the silence of party members, Lawal said many within the ADC appeared willing to accept what he regarded as blatant electoral malpractice.

“I sense a conspiracy of silence of which I want no part. Most members of the party are behaving as if this is the normal thing to do,” he stated.

According to him, even in locations where elections were conducted, the outcomes were allegedly altered to favour candidates linked to Atiku’s political camp.

“Even where they allowed some semblance of election to hold, the winners were simply replaced with members of his syndicate. In the real sense, it was a disgraceful charade,” he alleged.

Rejects Participation in Alleged Rigging Plot

The former SGF said his decision to leave the ADC was informed by his refusal to be associated with any political process he believes undermines democratic principles.

Lawal argued that supporting Atiku’s presidential ambition in 2027 would effectively hand President Bola Ahmed Tinubu an easy path to re-election.

“I do not want to be part of any rigging arrangement. Working for Atiku is tantamount to giving Tinubu an automatic ticket to a second term, and that gives me nightmares,” he said.

Tinubu Better Than Atiku, Says Lawal

In one of the most striking parts of his statement, Lawal asserted that despite his criticisms of the current administration, President Tinubu would ultimately prove to be a better leader than Atiku.

He described the former vice-president as lacking the competence and leadership qualities required to govern Nigeria effectively, declaring that he would actively work against Atiku’s presidential bid in the next election cycle.

The development marks a significant political rupture between two prominent northern politicians who were once regarded as allies. It also adds to the growing tensions within the ADC following disputes surrounding its presidential primary process.

With the 2027 elections gradually taking shape, Lawal’s resignation and public criticism of Atiku are expected to fuel fresh debates over internal democracy within opposition parties and the prospects of forming a united front against the ruling administration.

Political observers believe the fallout could further deepen divisions within the ADC and complicate efforts by opposition forces seeking to challenge President Tinubu’s anticipated re-election campaign in 2027.

Ovie Omo-Agege, former deputy senate president and chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), has formally resigned his membership of the party, citing irreconcilable political differences and developments within the Delta State chapter of the APC.

In a resignation letter dated May 22 and addressed to the chairman of APC Orogun Ward 2 in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, Omo-Agege announced that his resignation takes immediate effect.

The former senator, who represented Delta Central in the National Assembly and served as Deputy President of the 9th Senate, said his decision followed extensive consultations with political associates, supporters, and stakeholders across the state.

According to him, recent developments within the APC in Delta State made it difficult for him to effectively pursue the political aspirations of both himself and his constituents.

“After reviewing recent developments in the party in Delta State and consulting with my associates and supporters, it is clear my political objectives and those of my constituents are better served outside the APC,” Omo-Agege stated.

He further declared that he would not remain in a political platform where he could no longer advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State, and Nigeria at large.

“I will not remain a sitting duck in a party where I cannot advance the interests of Delta Central, Delta State and Nigeria,” he added.

Despite his departure, Omo-Agege expressed gratitude to the APC for the opportunity to serve in one of the highest legislative offices in the country.

“I thank the party for the opportunity to serve as Deputy President of the 9th Senate,” he said, while requesting that his name be removed from all party membership records, registers, and communication platforms.

In a separate statement issued by his media adviser, Sunday Areh, the former deputy senate president reaffirmed his commitment to the development of Delta Central and the broader interests of Delta State, stressing that his political mission would continue outside the APC.

“My focus remains on delivering development and effective representation for Delta Central, Delta State, and Nigeria. I will pursue these goals outside the APC,” the statement read.

Omo-Agege’s exit is expected to reshape the political landscape in Delta State ahead of future political alignments and electoral activities, especially given his influence within the APC structure in the South-South region.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has emerged as the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the 2027 general election after securing a decisive victory in the party’s primary election held on Wednesday night.

The results of the exercise were announced by Tunde Ogbeha, who declared Atiku winner of the keenly contested poll.

According to the official results, Atiku polled a total of 1,846,370 votes to defeat two other aspirants — Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Amaechi secured 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen garnered 177,120 votes.

Speaking shortly after receiving the ADC flag as the party’s standard-bearer, Atiku called on his fellow contestants to unite with him ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

He urged Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen to “close ranks” with him in what he described as a collective mission to rescue Nigeria’s democracy and rebuild the nation.

The former Vice-President also stressed that the primary election produced “no winner and no vanquished,” insisting that all party members must work together for the success of the ADC in the next general election.

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the ADC, David Mark, described the primary election as free, fair, transparent, and credible.

Mark disclosed that he came under intense pressure from certain interests seeking to influence the outcome of the exercise but maintained that the party leadership refused to compromise the integrity of the process.

“We did not work towards a predetermined outcome,” he stated while commending party delegates for conducting themselves peacefully during the exercise.

Despite the declaration of results, the exercise was not without controversy, as both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen reportedly rejected the outcome of the primary over alleged irregularities and claims of voter disenfranchisement.

With his emergence, Atiku is expected to face incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in what is shaping up to be a fiercely contested 2027 presidential election.