The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly rejected allegations made by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, describing them as false, misleading and driven by personal animosity.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Monday, the Atiku Media Office said Lawal’s recent comments against the former vice president were unwarranted and lacked any factual basis.
The statement noted that although Lawal has the constitutional right to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) if he so chooses, he does not have the right to malign Atiku Abubakar with what it described as fabricated allegations.
“Ordinarily, the verbal vituperation and the utter rubbish churned out by Babachir Lawal would have been better ignored as the ranting of a man high on substance, but for the overriding need to put the records straight,” the statement said.
Responding specifically to allegations of religious bigotry and nepotism, the Atiku camp described the claims as unfounded and contrary to the former vice president’s public record.
“Accusing Atiku of religious bigotry or nepotism is one of the laziest and most ridiculous lies anyone can spread against the former Vice President,” the statement said.
It further maintained that Atiku remains one of Nigeria’s most liberal political figures and challenged critics to examine his record in public service and politics.
“As far as we are concerned, Babachir was perfectly describing his own character rather than Atiku’s. The former SGF seeks power on the altar of dividing the people based on primordial sentiments. All his altercations with people are caused by his selfishness. He opportunistically panders to sentiments to achieve his ambition. None of his struggles are influenced by the larger interests of his people or Nigeria,” the statement added.
The media office also accused Lawal of promoting division and exploiting sensitive issues for personal political gain.
“The statement noted further that a man who is a notorious conflict entrepreneur like Babachir Lawal is not qualified to speak about what is good for Nigeria.”
Addressing Lawal’s reported resignation from the ADC and his allegations of manipulation during the party’s primary process, the Atiku camp said he failed to provide any evidence to support his claims.
“When Babachir said he resigned from ADC because of the so-called rigging or manipulations during the primaries, he didn’t offer any proof of his allegations.
“And instead of offering evidence of his allegations, he went further to drag Atiku’s family into the issue which was irrelevant to the issue of primaries. It’s evident from the load of garbage published by the former SGF that he holds personal animosity against Atiku Abubakar.”
The statement urged the former SGF to refrain from making comments capable of deepening divisions among Nigerians and instead pursue any grievances through appropriate party channels.
“There is no such thing as a Muslim and Christian party in Nigeria. When the outcome of a competition doesn’t favour you, you should petition the party to show proof of manipulations or rigging. It’s however most irresponsible for a former SGF to turn himself into an agent of division.”
The statement concluded by advising Lawal to examine his actions and avoid promoting sentiments that could undermine national unity.