Babachir Lawal: Atiku Is Dangerous and Must Never Be Nigeria’s President

ABUJA — Former Presidential Chief of Staff Babachir David Lawal has launched a stinging attack on African Democratic Congress presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar. Lawal, a former ally of President Buhari who served in his administration, described Atiku as unfit, dangerous, and someone who must never be allowed to lead Nigeria.

Lawal made his position known in a strongly worded statement published on Monday. He described Atiku as a man whose political career has been built on opportunism, manipulation, and a willingness to work with any faction or interest group as long as it advances his personal ambition. He said Nigerians have rejected Atiku multiple times and should do so again in 2027.

“Atiku Abubakar is not just unfit for the presidency. He is dangerous. His history of political manipulation, his questionable business dealings, and his inability to build any institutional legacy in public office disqualify him from the highest office in the land,” Lawal said.

A Political Rivalry

Lawal’s attack on Atiku is partly rooted in their different political trajectories within the northern political establishment. Both men were prominent figures in the Buhari political camp. Lawal remained closer to that orbit while Atiku repeatedly crossed party lines in pursuit of the presidency.

The ADC has not formally responded to Lawal’s statement. Atiku’s campaign team dismissed the attack as the words of a politician whose own credibility has been questioned in the past. They said the attack reveals desperation rather than substantive political argument.

Political analysts said Lawal’s statement reflects the deep personal and political animosities within Nigeria’s northern political elite that make opposition unity so difficult to achieve. When prominent northern politicians attack each other with this level of personal venom, it undermines any hope of a coherent anti-APC front heading into 2027.