By Wellington Jopelo
Fresh cracks have emerged within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s camp dismissed allegations that the party’s presidential primary was manipulated to favour him.
The dispute followed the resignation of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who claimed the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate lacked transparency and fairness.
Responding to the allegations, Atiku’s team described the claims as unfounded, insisting that the former vice president won the contest through a legitimate democratic process conducted across the country.
According to Atiku’s camp, no evidence has been presented to support accusations of manipulation, vote tampering or interference in the primary election. They argued that the outcome reflected the decision of party delegates and members who participated in the exercise.
The former vice president’s supporters also suggested that Babachir’s criticism was largely driven by disappointment over the outcome of the contest rather than genuine concerns about internal democracy within the party.
The exchange has added another layer of tension to the ADC at a time when the party is trying to position itself as a major opposition force ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Political observers say disagreements often follow party primaries, especially when high-profile politicians and their supporters fail to secure preferred outcomes. However, they warn that prolonged internal disputes could weaken party unity and distract from preparations for future elections.
Atiku’s camp maintained that every contestant had an equal opportunity to participate in the process and stressed that democratic elections naturally produce winners and losers.
The statement further urged party members to focus on building a strong opposition platform capable of addressing Nigeria’s economic and security challenges rather than engaging in internal battles.
Babachir’s exit from the party has already generated debate within political circles, with some analysts viewing it as a sign of deeper divisions among opposition figures seeking to challenge the ruling APC in 2027.
Despite the controversy, Atiku’s supporters insist that the former vice president remains focused on strengthening the party and building alliances ahead of the next general election.
With the 2027 race gradually taking shape, political watchers believe how the ADC handles its internal disagreements in the coming months could play a significant role in determining its strength at the polls.