2027 Politics Heats Up As Babachir Lawal Reveals Who He Might Vote For

Lawal alleged that the exercise was manipulated, insisting that he has evidence to back his claims.

Speaking during a television interview on Tuesday, the former ADC North-East Vice Chairman said the results announced did not reflect the actual votes cast in several areas.

He stated: “First of all, it was rigged.”

According to him, documents in his possession reveal inconsistencies between results recorded at the local level and those eventually announced at the national collation centre in Abuja.

“I have evidence from a primary, from a local government. The results showed that Hayatu-Deen had 20,000 votes, while Atiku Abubakar had 1,000 and something votes,” he said.

“But the result that ended up in Abuja was reversed, was inverted.”

Lawal also alleged that some officials involved in the collation process expressed concerns privately about how the results were handled, claiming that one official justified the outcome by saying it would be embarrassing for Atiku to lose in his home state.

He further questioned the delay in transmitting results from Adamawa to Abuja.

“It took our returning officer close to three days before the results were submitted in Abuja. What were they doing with the results?” he asked.

Lawal insisted his objections were based on principle rather than personal opposition to Atiku Abubakar.

“If I think Atiku had won free and fair and square, I’ll kill myself supporting him, campaigning for him,” he said.

He argued that flawed electoral processes cannot produce credible leadership.

“If the process of emergence is fraudulent, is defective, the chances of producing good leaders will not be there,” he added.

The former SGF also defended earlier controversial remarks he made, stating that he had no intention of withdrawing them.

When asked if he would retract his comments, he simply replied: “I will not.”

He linked his position to personal experiences of discrimination as a Christian from the Kilba ethnic group in Adamawa State.

Lawal further reiterated his support for economist Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, whom he described as the most competent among the aspirants.

“By all standards, for the Nigeria we want to build, no one comes close to Hayatu-Deen,” he said.

He praised Hayatu-Deen’s corporate and professional background, arguing that competence should guide leadership selection.

Lawal also said he has effectively withdrawn from active partisan politics and remains undecided ahead of the next presidential election.

“I have now retired from politics. I’m not canvassing for votes for anybody,” he said.

“I have one vote to myself that I keep to myself. I might even vote for Omoyele Sowore.”

When asked about a possible alliance involving Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, he said he was still considering his options.

He added that he has ruled out supporting both the APC and ADC for now, saying he is waiting for other candidates to emerge ahead of 2027.