Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, sparked fresh political debates after making strong allegations regarding President Bola Tinubu and the 2027 presidential election.

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Lawal alleged that no politician in the country can successfully challenge President Tinubu if the election is determined by manipulation.

Key Highlights from Babachir Lawal’s Interview

• The “Rigging” Parameter: When asked about his outlook for the 2027 presidential race, Lawal stated, “Landslide. He’ll rig everybody.” He expanded on this by asserting, “If the parameter for winning elections in Nigeria is rigging, nobody can face Bola Tinubu in this country.”
• Criticism of Atiku Abubakar: Lawal did not spare the former Vice President and presidential hopeful, Atiku Abubakar. He claimed that an Atiku presidency would be even worse than the current administration. Referencing the 2027 race, he added, “If Atiku’s strength is in manipulating results, I wish him luck; he will meet the master rigger in front.”
• Exiting Active Politics: Alongside these claims, the former SGF announced his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and stated he is stepping away from active politics entirely. Expressing deep dissatisfaction with how politics is practiced in Nigeria, he noted he would rather focus on agriculture and church-related activities. Lawal also explicitly noted that he would not be supporting Peter Obi or anyone else moving forward.

The Broader Context

Lawal’s exit from the ADC followed allegations that the party’s internal primaries were rigged in favor of a preferred candidate. His sweeping commentary on the 2027 landscape has already drawn sharp criticism from opposition stakeholders, with some political analysts and figures—including Dele Momodu—dismissing his comments and describing his stance as “confused.”

The statements have reignited intense public discourse around internal party democracy, electoral transparency, and the uphill battle the opposition faces ahead of the 2027 general elections