A fresh crisis appears to be brewing within the opposition coalition under the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following allegations by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, that the party's presidential primary was manipulated in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Lawal, a prominent member of the coalition, reportedly questioned the credibility of the primary election that produced Atiku as the ADC presidential candidate for the 2027 general election, alleging that the process was skewed to favour the former vice president.
The development has exposed cracks within the opposition coalition, with concerns emerging over the transparency and fairness of the exercise.
The controversy follows similar reservations earlier expressed by former Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, both of whom contested the primary against Atiku.
Reports indicate that Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen distanced themselves from the outcome of the exercise, alleging irregularities in the conduct of the primary.
The duo reportedly boycotted the event where Atiku was formally declared winner.
Lawal's latest comments have further intensified the debate over the legitimacy of the primary, with the former SGF insisting that the exercise failed to meet the standards of transparency and credibility expected of a party seeking to offer Nigerians an alternative platform ahead of the 2027 elections.
In response, Atiku is said to have dismissed the allegations and challenged Lawal to provide evidence to substantiate his claims of manipulation.
The former vice president has maintained that the primary election was conducted in accordance with the party's guidelines and that his victory reflected the choice of delegates.
Political observers say the dispute could pose a significant challenge to efforts by the opposition coalition to present a united front against the ruling party in the next general election.
The disagreement has also raised questions about internal democracy within the ADC, especially as the party seeks to position itself as a credible alternative ahead of the 2027 polls.
As of the time of filing this report, the ADC leadership had yet to issue an official statement addressing the allegations and the growing concerns surrounding the conduct of the presidential primary.
