Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation, says he has evidence that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary was manipulated in favour of Atiku Abubakar.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television on Monday, the former SGF alleged that results were announced in some areas where party primaries never took place.
Lawal’s comments come amid an escalating war of words between him and Atiku’s camp following the former vice-president’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate.
Earlier, Paul Ibe dismissed Lawal’s allegations, claiming the former SGF had collected money from a presidential aspirant, Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, to mobilise support for him but failed to deliver.
Responding to the allegation, Lawal insisted that his claims were based on firsthand observations from his role as the party’s north-east vice-chairman.
“Don’t forget that I monitored the congresses and primaries everywhere,” he said.
“I was the national vice chairman for the north-east, so that position allowed me to monitor what was going on. And I have my evidence.”
The former SGF accused those denying the allegations of attempting to cover up what transpired during the exercise.
“A thief will not tell you that he’s a thief,” he said.
“They are the ones lying by trying to deny what they did. They know what they did.”
NO ELECTIONS BUT THERE WERE RESULTS
Lawal alleged that electoral processes were bypassed in some locations, with results announced despite the absence of election officials.
“In some states, as we speak, electoral officers are yet to arrive at the ward for the election, but they have announced the results,” he said.
According to him, the irregularities extended to parts of Borno state.
“They have not gone there to conduct the primaries, like in southern Borno, but results have been announced,” he alleged.
“If it is something that can bring a crowd of those who want to testify, it can bring them now.”
The former SGF also denied claims that he received money from Hayatu-Deen to influence the outcome of the primary.
“If I want money to do politics, I’d phone Bola Tinubu here, and I am sure before I get home, they’d give me the money,” he said.
“Hayatu-Deen has no money to give now.”
Lawal has repeatedly criticised the conduct of the ADC primary, describing the exercise as manipulated and accusing party leaders of undermining internal democracy.
Atiku’s camp has rejected the allegations and maintained that the primary was free, fair and credible.
