The media office of Atiku Abubakar has lashed out at Babachir Lawal over his recent criticism of the former vice-president, accusing him of ignoring Atiku’s record of condemning terrorism and banditry across the country.
In a statement on Sunday, Paul Ibe, Atiku’s media aide, said Lawal was “in a state of stupor” while the former vice-president was speaking against insecurity, sympathising with victims, and proposing solutions to the country’s security challenges.
The response comes after Lawal accused Atiku of failing to speak strongly against terrorism and banditry.
The former SGF also alleged that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary was manipulated in favour of Atiku and his allies.
Reacting to the allegations, Atiku’s camp dismissed Lawal’s claims and questioned his conduct during the party’s presidential primary.
“We read with amusement but concern for the mental state of former SGF Babachir Lawal, his latest attempt at revisionism of his disgraceful public service record and failed efforts to cause the rigging of the ADC presidential primary,” the statement reads.
“It is becoming obvious that Babachir Lawal is going bunkers, possibly from the abuse of booze.”
The media office further alleged that Lawal had attempted to influence the outcome of the ADC primary but failed.
“Instead of addressing the issue of his ignominious role in presiding over a scam in which he allegedly extorted money to deliver the presidential ticket, but failed because those charged with the responsibility of conducting the election stopped him in his tracks, Babachir Lawal has resorted to personal attacks against Atiku Abubakar,” it said.
ATIKU HAS BEEN CONDEMNING INSECURITY
Defending Atiku’s record on insecurity, the media office said the former vice-president had consistently condemned terrorist attacks, kidnappings and banditry regardless of where they occurred.
“Babachir Lawal may have been preoccupied with hitting the sauce, but it is public record that the Waziri had always spoken against terrorist and banditry attacks and shown empathy to communities that were attacked,” the statement said.
According to the media office, Atiku has repeatedly criticised the federal government’s handling of insecurity and proposed measures to strengthen Nigeria’s counterterrorism efforts.
Ibe noted that the former vice-president had advocated allowing states to arm their security outfits, improving intelligence gathering through community participation, establishing a national support framework for victims of attacks, and creating special courts to try terrorism-related offences.
“In one of his most recent engagements, the former vice-president proposed special courts to not only try these criminals but ensure that those found guilty face capital punishment,” it added.
The media office urged Lawal to review Atiku’s public statements on insecurity.
“When Babachir Lawal is eventually sober, he may wish to take out time to review news reports in which Atiku Abubakar spoke against terrorist and banditry attacks and proffered solutions,” the statement said.
