The camp of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has rejected allegations of irregularities in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary, challenging former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal to provide evidence to support his claims.
Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, issued the challenge in a statement on Tuesday after Lawal questioned the credibility of the primary during a television interview.
Shaibu argued that Lawal failed to present documents, petitions, witness statements or any other verifiable proof to support his allegations despite making what he described as sweeping claims about the exercise.
“He arrived with accusations. He left with accusations. In between, the evidence never arrived,” Shaibu said.
Shaibu also accused Lawal of allowing political disappointment to influence his position. He argued that the former SGF openly supported another aspirant before the primary and only questioned the process after his preferred candidate failed to secure the party’s ticket.
The Atiku camp further dismissed Lawal’s claim that the former vice president lacked political relevance. Shaibu said the allegation contradicted suggestions that Atiku influenced the outcome of a nationwide primary involving thousands of party members.
He also criticized Lawal over remarks about President Bola Tinubu, saying Nigerians could draw their own conclusions from the former SGF’s comments about his relationship with the president.
Shaibu urged Nigerians to assess the allegations on the strength of evidence rather than speculation. He also defended Atiku’s record, highlighting his contributions to economic reforms, private sector development and the liberalization of Nigeria’s telecommunications sector.
The exchange reflects growing tensions within the opposition as politicians intensify consultations and realignments ahead of the 2027 general election.
