Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Babachir Lawal has announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.
Lawal made the announcement in connection with internal developments within the ADC, which have now led him to step away from the party. His decision is framed around his view of what he believes is best for Nigeria’s leadership going forward, particularly as the election timeline tightens and party dynamics become more consequential.
According to Lawal, the ADC’s path after the presidential primary outcome has influenced his choice to resign. The former SGF said that with Atiku Abubakar now positioned as the party’s presidential candidate, he no longer sees his future in the ADC. He described the situation as a turning point that led him to officially exit the party.
In explaining his political stance, Lawal also compared the leadership prospects of key figures in Nigeria’s broader presidential race. He stated that he believes Bola Tinubu would be a better president than Atiku Abubakar. This claim underscores that Lawal’s resignation is not merely a procedural reaction to party decisions, but also a substantive expression of his preferences regarding national leadership.
The resignation highlights a common pattern in Nigerian politics where internal party outcomes—such as presidential primaries—can trigger high-profile exits by influential figures. It also reflects how candidates and party stakeholders can reassess alignment when primary results change the direction of a party’s campaign and strategy.
While the announcement points to the ADC presidential primary results as the immediate backdrop, the core takeaway is the political divergence between Lawal and the direction of the ADC after Atiku Abubakar’s emergence. By leaving the party, Lawal signals that he is unwilling to support the ADC’s presidential candidacy in the forthcoming contest.
Lawal’s departure could also carry wider implications for the ADC, particularly in terms of public perception and internal cohesion. When a former SGF resigns from a party after a primary, it can raise questions among party supporters about unity, candidate acceptability, and how other stakeholders may respond to the party’s leadership choices.
At the same time, Lawal’s explicit endorsement of a competing political figure—Tinubu—suggests he may now redirect his political energies toward the candidate he believes is best positioned to govern. Such statements can influence voters who follow high-profile political actors, especially those who hold credibility from government service or prior involvement in national policy.
The news also indicates that Lawal’s comments were tied directly to the ADC’s presidential primary process and outcomes. Although the available information centers on his resignation and his view of Tinubu versus Atiku, it also points to the fact that the primary results were significant enough to cause a major shift in his political affiliation.
Lawal’s move adds to the broader political turbulence seen ahead of elections, where primary contests and candidate selections can create ripple effects across multiple parties. His resignation, paired with his stated preference for Tinubu, may further intensify political narratives around who should be Nigeria’s next president, particularly among voters and party watchers comparing the strengths of different contenders.
As of the time of the announcement, the key details remain his resignation from the ADC, his reason tied to the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the ADC presidential candidate, and his claim that Tinubu would be a better president. These elements together place Lawal firmly on one side of the ongoing political debate and indicate that he is willing to act decisively rather than continue as a party member.
In summary, Babachir Lawal has resigned from the ADC after Atiku Abubakar emerged as the party’s presidential candidate, and he publicly stated that he believes Bola Tinubu would be a better president than Atiku. The action underscores the impact of primary outcomes on political alignment and may affect both Lawal’s future political direction and the ADC’s internal unity. Source: Nigerian Affairs Journal
Nigerian Affairs Journal: BREAKING: Former SGF Babachir Lawal has announced his resignation from the ADC following Atiku Abubakar’s emergence as the party’s presidential candidate, saying Tinubu would be a better president than the former vice president. Lawal said the ADC presidential primary results. #breaking
— @NigAffairs May 1, 2026
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