Fresh ADC Primary Bombshell As Babachir Lawal Speaks On Alleged Vote Alteration

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has alleged that the results of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary were altered during collation, with votes he said belonged to Mohammed Hayatu-Deen allegedly credited to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

According to Bush Radio Academy, Lawal made the claim during a recent interview with Trust TV, where he also explained that the alleged irregularities contributed to his decision to leave the ADC.

Lawal said he had supported Hayatu-Deen from the beginning of the primary because he considered him the most capable among the presidential aspirants. He claimed that while the results were being collated, he noticed that Atiku was being declared in places where he believed Hayatu-Deen had secured the votes.

The former SGF specifically alleged that results recorded for Hayatu-Deen were subsequently credited to Atiku. He said he questioned the development but was allegedly told that the party could not afford to embarrass Atiku.

Lawal further claimed that his efforts to challenge the alleged alteration were unsuccessful, as some party members reportedly encouraged him to accept the outcome.

He also recalled his involvement in organising the primary at the state level, saying he was serving as the party’s state vice-chairman at the time and participated in the formation of a seven-member committee responsible for conducting the exercise.

According to Lawal, the party’s guidelines provided for the appointment of the committee chairman and secretary, while the state was expected to nominate the remaining five members.

His latest comments come months after he left the ADC following similar allegations that the party’s primaries had been manipulated in favour of Atiku. Lawal has maintained that his concerns over the conduct of the primary were among the reasons for his departure from the party.

Atiku’s camp has rejected Lawal’s allegations, describing them as claims without sufficient evidence. His media aide, Phrank Shaibu, has maintained that the ADC primary was credible and challenged Lawal to provide evidence supporting his accusations.

The ADC had declared Atiku the winner of the May 2026 presidential primary with 1,846,370 votes, ahead of former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi, who polled 504,117 votes, while Hayatu-Deen received 177,120 votes. Hayatu-Deen had earlier declined to attend the announcement of the results, citing allegations of widespread irregularities.