2027: Ex-SGF Fires Warning Against Atiku, Makes Explosive Ethnic Politics Allegation

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has urged Nigerians not to support former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election, accusing him of playing ethnic politics.

Lawal made the remarks during a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Wednesday while reacting to the controversy surrounding the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship ticket in Adamawa State.

He alleged that Atiku was behind moves to replace the party’s governorship candidate, Suleiman Omar, with Tukur Modibbo.

“Atiku Abubakar wants to replace Suleiman Omar as the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress in Adamawa State with Alhaji Tukur Modibbo. He wants to bring Modibbo to replace Omar, who emerged from the party primaries,” Lawal alleged.

The former SGF further claimed that Atiku’s political decisions were driven by ethnic considerations, warning Nigerians against backing his presidential ambition in 2027.

However, Atiku swiftly dismissed the allegations, describing them as false and unfounded.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president denied having any involvement in an alleged plot to replace the ADC governorship candidate in Adamawa State.

“The allegations are entirely false, baseless and the product of the fertile imagination of those determined to create unnecessary tension within the ADC,” the statement said.

The statement stressed that Atiku neither held any meeting nor issued any directive aimed at replacing the party’s duly nominated governorship candidate.

It also accused those behind the claims of attempting to create division within the party because of the ADC’s growing unity and momentum.

The former vice president urged party members, supporters and the public to ignore what he described as malicious propaganda, insisting that the ADC remained committed to due process, internal democracy and the decisions of its constitutionally recognised organs.