Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would emerge victorious against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar if the 2027 presidential election is determined by electoral manipulation.

Lawal made the statement during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, where he weighed in on the growing political permutations ahead of the next general election.

According to him, no politician in Nigeria currently possesses the capacity to outmaneuver Tinubu if election rigging becomes the deciding factor in the race for Aso Rock.

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“If the parameter for winning elections in Nigeria is rigging, nobody can face Bola Tinubu in this country. If Atiku’s strength is in manipulating results, I wish him luck; he will meet the master rigger in front,” Lawal said.

The former SGF further argued that President Tinubu would record a landslide victory if the election outcome were determined by such means, describing the president as a formidable political strategist.

Lawal also took a swipe at Atiku Abubakar, distancing himself from the former vice president’s political ambition and insisting that he would not support his bid for the presidency.

He stated that after studying Atiku’s political history and leadership record, he believes an Atiku administration would perform worse than the current government led by Tinubu.

“I have studied his antecedents and realised that his presidency will be worse than Bola Tinubu’s,” he said.

The former SGF also criticised Atiku for what he described as insufficient engagement with Nigeria’s worsening security situation, including recurring cases of kidnapping and violent attacks in different parts of the country.

Despite his criticism of both Tinubu and Atiku, Lawal maintained that he is yet to endorse any presidential aspirant ahead of the 2027 election.

“I am supporting nobody. I don’t want to be part of anything for now,” he stated.
His comments come shortly after his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he accused the party of manipulating its recent presidential primary in favour of Atiku.

Lawal alleged that results from the exercise were altered to produce a predetermined outcome, claiming that candidates who won in some areas were replaced by individuals loyal to the former vice president.

He said the alleged irregularities influenced his decision to leave the party, which he described as a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 elections.

However, the ADC leadership has denied the allegations, insisting that the primary election was conducted transparently and reflected the wishes of party members.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh attack on opposition political parties, accusing them of deceiving Nigerians and failing to live up to the democratic standards they claim to represent.

Speaking during his monthly media briefing in Abuja on Monday, Wike said recent controversies surrounding the primaries of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have exposed what he described as the hypocrisy and lack of credibility within the opposition camp.

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According to the former Rivers State governor, parties that have consistently presented themselves as the “new face of democracy” and a credible alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are now grappling with the same internal crises they often criticize in other political parties.

“You can’t fool Nigerians anymore,” Wike declared, insisting that the opposition’s claims of being different from the established political parties have been undermined by disputes and protests that trailed their internal elections.

He questioned the ability of the parties to provide effective leadership if they could not successfully conduct transparent and peaceful primaries.

Wike specifically pointed to complaints raised by some presidential aspirants during the parties’ congresses, arguing that the allegations of irregularities and unfair practices showed that the opposition was not immune to the political shortcomings it frequently condemns.

The FCT minister said Nigerians are increasingly becoming aware of what he called inconsistencies in the opposition’s messaging, stressing that parties cannot market themselves as political “messiahs” while struggling with internal democratic processes.

He further argued that the developments reinforce the relevance of older political parties that have spent years navigating Nigeria’s political landscape.

While noting that both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC have faced criticism in the past, Wike maintained that experience remains an important factor in sustaining democratic institutions and managing political competition.

The minister’s remarks come amid heightened political activities and realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with opposition parties seeking to position themselves as strong contenders against the ruling APC.

A fresh twist has emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections, as a faction of the party has rejected the camp backing former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and instead unveiled businessman and academic, Prof. Chris Uba, as its presidential candidate.

The development comes days after another wing of the party reportedly produced Atiku as its presidential flagbearer following a nationwide primary election, deepening the leadership and candidate dispute within the ADC.

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Speaking during the formal presentation of candidates in Abuja on Sunday, the faction’s National Chairman, Bala Gombe, said the presidential ticket was zoned to Southern Nigeria in line with the principles of equity, fairness, inclusiveness, and federal character.

According to Gombe, three aspirants initially purchased the party’s Expression of Interest and Nomination Forms to contest for the presidential ticket.

They included Dr. Bashir Sani, Prince Williams Charles, and Prof. Chris Uba.

He explained that the party adopted the consensus option provided under the Electoral Act, leading to the emergence of Uba as the sole presidential candidate after the withdrawal of the other aspirants.

Gombe stated that the decision was taken in the interest of party unity and in compliance with relevant provisions of the Electoral Act, which recognize consensus as a lawful method of candidate selection.

He further announced the unveiling of 29 governorship candidates across the six geopolitical zones, saying they emerged through the party’s internal democratic processes.

Among those presented were Muhammad Usman Shuwa (Adamawa), Idris Adamu Yanoko (Kano), Shamsudin Muhammad (Kaduna), Ibrahim Al-Ameen Gumi (Zamfara), Babagana Mala (Borno), Musliu Babadele (Lagos), Rukayya Salami (Osun), Gbenga Gbenga (Oyo), Gada Suswan (Benue), Dijatu Abdul Salam (Nasarawa), and Christopher Benjo (Delta), among others.

The faction maintained that it had successfully concluded its governorship, National Assembly, and State House of Assembly primaries nationwide in accordance with the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the party’s electoral guidelines.

The latest development signals growing internal divisions within the ADC as political parties intensify preparations, coalition talks, and strategic realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Founded in 2005, the ADC has continued to position itself as an alternative political platform while seeking to strengthen its structures and expand its influence across Nigeria.