Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal has stepped up his offensive against the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary that produced Atiku Abubakar as the party’s candidate.
Lawal was reported to have said that the exercise was manipulated and that he had evidence to back his claim.
On Tuesday, the former ADC North-East Vice Chairman told newsmen on a television interview that the results declared by the party did not tally with the votes cast in a lot of places.
“It was rigged in the first place,” Lawal said.
“There are discrepancies between the results collated at the local level and those that were eventually sent to the party’s national collation centre,” Mr Lawal said of the documents in his possession.
“I have proof. “I have data of one of the primaries, for example, local government, the return of election was Hayatu-Deen with 20,000 votes and Atiku Abubakar with 1,000 and something votes,” he said.
“But the one that was sent to Abuja was turned upside down, reversed.
The former SGF added that some officials involved in the collation process had privately expressed concern about the handling of results.
The change, a state returning officer said, was justified because it would be embarrassing for Atiku to lose in his home state.
Lawal also asked why it took several days for results from Adamawa allegedly to get to Abuja.
“It took our own returning officer almost three days before he could submit the results in Abuja. ““What did they do with the results?” he asked.
Lawal said; “I am opposed to Atiku on principle and not out of hatred for him as a person.
“I will kill myself supporting Atiku, campaigning for him, if I believe he won free and fair and square,” he said.
“If the process of emergence of leaders is flawed, Nigeria cannot produce quality leaders,” he said.
“If the process of emergence is fraudulent, defective, there will be no chances of producing good leaders,” he added.
The former ADC chief also stood by his earlier remarks that invited flak for its ethnic and religious overtones.
Asked if he would retract the comments, Lawal said: “I will not.
He told of his experiences of discrimination as a Christian of the Kilba ethnic group in Adamawa State that he said he had suffered.
He also expressed support for Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, saying he was the most qualified among the aspirants for the presidential ticket.
He said: “By all standards, none of the three comes close to Hayatu-Deen as the Nigeria that we want to bequeath to another leader today.
He lauded the economist’s corporate experience and professional accomplishments, arguing that competence should be the primary determinant in selecting national leaders.
The former SGF said he had effectively retired from active partisan politics and was still undecided on who to support in the next presidential election.
I have now retired from political. “I’m not out there banging on doors for votes for anybody,” he said.
I have one vote of my own and I keep it to myself. “I may even vote for Omoyele Sowore.”
Asked if he would support a possible alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, Lawal said he had not taken a decision.
Lawal also said that he had ruled out supporting either APC or ADC, while waiting for other candidates that may emerge ahead of the 2027 election.
“I’m still waiting,” he said. So far. At least I’ve made a choice. I threw APC. Now I’ve thrown ADC. “Waiting for other people to nominate their candidates.”
