The media office of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing response to former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, accusing him of attempting to rewrite history and distract attention from allegations surrounding his role in the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primary process.
In a statement issued on Saturday by Paul Ibe, spokesman for the Atiku Media Office, Lawal was accused of resorting to personal attacks against Atiku instead of addressing allegations that he played a controversial role in efforts to influence the outcome of the ADC presidential primary.
The statement described Lawal’s recent comments as both amusing and troubling, alleging that the former SGF was engaged in “revisionism” regarding his public service record.
“We read with amusement but concern for the mental state of former SGF Babachir Lawal, his latest attempt at revisionism of his disgraceful public service record and failed efforts to cause the rigging of the ADC presidential primary,” the statement said.
The Atiku camp further alleged that Lawal was avoiding questions surrounding claims that he promised to deliver the party’s presidential ticket in exchange for financial inducements but failed because electoral officials prevented the alleged scheme.
“Instead of addressing the issue of his ignominious role in presiding over a scam in which he allegedly extorted money to deliver the presidential ticket, but failed because those charged with the responsibility of conducting the election stopped him in his tracks, Babachir Lawal has resorted to personal attacks against Atiku Abubakar,” Ibe stated.
Defending the former vice president’s record on national security, the statement insisted that Atiku has consistently condemned terrorism, banditry, kidnappings and other forms of violent attacks across the country.
“Babachir Lawal may have been preoccupied with hitting the sauce but it is public record that the Waziri had always spoken against terrorist and banditry attacks and shown empathy to communities that were attacked,” the statement added.
According to Ibe, Atiku, who hails from Adamawa State in Nigeria’s North-East region, has repeatedly criticized the Federal Government over worsening insecurity and called for urgent reforms to the nation’s security architecture.
The statement noted that the former vice president has consistently argued that security agencies require stronger support and that government responses have often fallen short of expectations.
It also highlighted several policy proposals attributed to Atiku, including legislation that would allow state governments to arm and equip local security outfits to complement federal security agencies.
The former vice president was also said to have encouraged communities to provide intelligence to security agencies while discouraging collaboration with criminal groups.
In addition, the statement referenced Atiku’s advocacy for a National Victims and Survivors Support Framework aimed at providing psychological assistance, educational opportunities and economic recovery programmes for communities affected by violence.
The media office further pointed to one of Atiku’s recent proposals calling for the establishment of special courts dedicated to terrorism-related cases.
“Atiku: Death penalty must be applied to terrorism offences,” the statement quoted from one of the former vice president’s recent positions on tackling violent crimes.
The Atiku Media Office maintained that numerous public statements and interventions by the former vice president over the years demonstrate his commitment to addressing insecurity in all parts of Nigeria.
“When Babachir Lawal is eventually sober, he may wish to take out time to review some of the links of news reports in which Atiku Abubakar spoke against terrorist and banditry attacks and proferred solutions. Those engagements covered every state of the country without exception,” the statement concluded.