Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has announced plans to initiate a legal challenge against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC). This follows the controversial replacement of Engr. Umar Suleiman as the party’s gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 Adamawa State election.
Lawal asserts that the substitution, which saw Tukur Moddibo take Suleiman’s place, violates the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution, and primary election protocols. According to Lawal, Suleiman won the party primaries convincingly, but the national leadership caved to pressure from Atiku to install his preferred candidate. He argues that this decision was driven by ethnic and religious favoritism rather than merit or justice.
The former SGF claims this strategy serves to benefit the All Progressives Congress candidate, Alhaji Ahmed Tijjani Galadima, by creating a power structure that favors the Adamawa Emirate Council while marginalizing the state’s aboriginal groups. Lawal warns that this move will cost the ADC its chances in the upcoming election and encourages voters to explore alternative political parties.
Attempts to reach ADC spokesperson Bolaji Abdullahi for comment were unsuccessful.
