Atiku Movement Fires Back at Babachir Lawal Over ADC, Atiku Criticism

 

Abuja, Nigeria – 1 June 2026— The Atiku Movement, TAM, has dismissed as “vitriolic and malicious” a recent statement by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir David Lawal criticising former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

In a press statement released on Sunday, TAM described Lawal’s comments, which circulated on social media, as an attempt to mask his “political irrelevance and exit from the ADC” with “defamatory and brutally malicious” attacks on Atiku. The group said Lawal’s resort to “blackmail, insults, and wild conspiracy theories” reflected the “tantrums of a political mercenary who has lost his grip on relevance.”

Recall of ‘Grass-Cutting’ Scandal

TAM recalled Lawal’s tenure as SGF, noting he was dismissed by the Buhari administration in 2017 following investigations into alleged corruption. The group cited the Senate probe and presidential panel that found him guilty of violating the Code of Conduct for public officers over contracts awarded by the Presidential Initiative for the North East, PINE, including one to his company, Rholavision Engineering Ltd, for “grass-cutting” at an IDP camp.

The movement added that Lawal was later arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on multiple counts of fraud and criminal conspiracy. “For a man whose legacy is explicitly tied to stealing resources meant for dying orphans and widows in IDP camps to talk about ‘conscience’ is the ultimate height of hypocrisy,” the statement said.

Accusations of Bigotry  

TAM also accused Lawal of “deep-seated, toxic ethno-religious hatred,” pointing to his use of terms such as “irredentist Fulani” and “religious hegemonists.” The group claimed his criticism of Atiku was driven not by policy differences but by the fact that Atiku is a Muslim Fulani with national appeal.

“Babachir cannot stomach the democratic reality that a Muslim Fulani possesses the national appeal, network, and capability to salvage Nigeria,” TAM said.

Defence of Atiku

The group defended Atiku’s democratic credentials, describing him as a “proven democrat” and “unifier” who has built alliances across Nigeria. It contrasted this with Lawal, who it said “thrives in backroom conspiracies and corrupt contract inflation.” TAM also linked current economic and security challenges to the administration Lawal served in as SGF.

Call to Step Aside

Concluding, TAM said Lawal’s claim that he was retiring to his farm should be taken seriously. “We strongly advise him to stay there, quiet his bitter soul, and contemplate the colossal damage his greed did to displaced persons of the North East,” the statement read. 

“The ADC, the North, and indeed the entire Nigerian populace have moved past the era of divisive, transactional politicians who use religion and tribe as bargaining chips for contracts,” it added.

As of press time, Babachir Lawal had not issued a fresh response to TAM’s statement.