By Our Correspondent
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected allegations by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) primary election was manipulated in his favour.
In a statement released through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the claims as baseless, insisting that no evidence had been presented to support accusations of electoral malpractice during the party’s primary process.
The former presidential candidate maintained that the exercise was conducted in line with democratic principles and argued that dissatisfaction with the outcome should not be mistaken for proof of wrongdoing. According to his camp, participation in a democratic contest does not automatically translate into victory.
Atiku’s allies further accused Lawal of allowing personal interests to influence his public comments following his resignation from the ADC. They urged political stakeholders to prioritize unity and constructive engagement rather than deepen divisions within the party.
The exchange comes after Lawal announced his departure from the ADC, alleging widespread irregularities in the conduct of the primaries. However, Atiku’s camp insists the allegations remain unsubstantiated and has challenged critics to provide credible evidence to support their claims.
As the controversy continues to attract attention within Nigeria’s political landscape, no independent proof has yet emerged to validate the rigging allegations, leaving both sides firmly entrenched in their positions.
