Atiku Abubakar's media office has rejected claims by former Secretary to the Government, Babachir Lawal, that the African Democratic Congress presidential primaries were rigged. His allegations lack any foundation whatsoever, the camp insisted on Monday.
Lawal's attacks amount to sour grapes over losing the contest. The former SGF provided zero evidence to back his rigging claims, according to Atiku's team.
"Ordinarily, Mr. Lawal's latest excursion into political fiction would not merit a response," the statement read.
"However, having chosen to malign a democratic process, insult thousands of ADC members nationwide, and make grave allegations without presenting a shred of evidence, it has become necessary to set the record straight."
Atiku's camp questioned Lawal's sudden push for moral authority on electoral integrity. The former SGF remains infamous for the grass-cutting contract scandal that ended his public service career.
"It is perhaps the greatest irony that Mr. Babachir Lawal now seeks to reinvent himself as Nigeria's newest apostle of integrity, transparency, and democratic virtue," the statement noted.
Nigerians remember his history well, it warned.
His public service became defined by conflict of interest questions and office abuse allegations. Now he wants to lecture the nation on electoral honesty?
"Before accusing others of operating a 'rigging machine,' Mr. Lawal should first explain why Nigerians should suddenly erase from their memory one of the most embarrassing chapters in the history of public accountability," the team stated.
Atiku's media office also spotted contradictions in Lawal's position on the primaries. While condemning alleged malpractice in the ADC contest, Lawal has praised President Tinubu's "superior rigging machine," they pointed out.
His selective rejection of primary outcomes also raises eyebrows. Lawal challenged the presidential result but stayed silent when his cousin, Omar Suleiman, emerged as the ADC governorship candidate in Adamawa.
"If the ADC primaries were truly the sham Mr. Lawal now portrays them to be, intellectual honesty would require him to reject every outcome," the camp argued.
His silence on his cousin's win exposes the hypocrisy, they insisted.
Atiku's team also dismissed Lawal's attacks on the former vice president's family. Nigerians care more about jobs and security than personal political attacks, they stressed.
The media office maintained Atiku remains one of Nigeria's most recognized political leaders with broad national support. Democracy allows anyone to run, but victory isn't guaranteed for all, they concluded.
