Tinubu Will Be Hard to Defeat in a Rigged Election” — Babachir Lawal Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead of 2027

“Tinubu Will Be Hard to Defeat in a Rigged Election” — Babachir Lawal Sparks Political Firestorm Ahead of 2027.

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has stirred fresh political controversy after declaring that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would be extremely difficult to defeat in the 2027 presidential election if the contest is determined by electoral manipulation rather than genuine democratic processes.

Lawal made the explosive remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Monday, where he openly assessed the strengths of Nigeria’s major political figures and the evolving power dynamics ahead of the next general election.

According to him, Nigeria’s electoral environment if influenced by manipulation would naturally favour President Tinubu, whom he described as politically unbeatable under such conditions.

“If the parameter for winning elections in Nigeria is rigging, nobody can face Bola Tinubu in this country,” Lawal said. “Landslide. He’ll rig everybody.”

He went further to suggest that Tinubu possesses unmatched political experience and machinery capable of outperforming any opponent in what he described as the “politics of election rigging,” adding that no current politician has the capacity to outmaneuver the president in that regard.

“In that kind of game, if Atiku’s strength is in manipulating results, I wish him luck; he will meet the master rigger in front,” he added, in a statement that has since triggered widespread reactions across Nigeria’s political space.

Comments Come Amid Rising 2027 Political Tensions

Lawal’s remarks come at a time when political alignments and behind-the-scenes negotiations are already intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections. Various political blocs, including opposition coalitions and emerging platforms, are actively positioning themselves for what is expected to be a highly competitive presidential race.

His comments have further fueled debate over electoral integrity in Nigeria, a recurring national concern that continues to shape public discourse around elections and democratic governance.

Fresh Attack on Atiku Abubakar

The former SGF also used the platform to launch a pointed criticism at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, dismissing his chances of building a successful presidential coalition or benefiting from support within emerging opposition structures, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Lawal said his opposition to Atiku was based on what he described as a long-standing assessment of the former vice president’s political record and leadership style.

“I know Atiku. I have studied his antecedents and realised that his presidency will be worse than Bola Tinubu’s,” he said.

He argued that Nigeria cannot afford leadership that fails to adequately address worsening insecurity and economic hardship, insisting that Atiku’s track record does not inspire confidence in handling the country’s current challenges.

Lawal also accused the former vice president of not doing enough to confront Nigeria’s escalating security crisis, referencing persistent incidents of kidnappings, killings, and attacks in several parts of the country.

Exit from ADC and Allegations of Primary Election Manipulation

Lawal’s comments also followed his recent resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), a move he announced earlier on Monday. He alleged that his departure was triggered by what he described as irregularities in the party’s presidential primary election.

According to him, the ADC primary was allegedly manipulated in favour of Atiku Abubakar, with results reportedly altered to produce a predetermined outcome.

He further claimed that in some areas where voting took place, genuine winners were replaced with individuals allegedly loyal to Atiku, describing the process as a “rigging machine” designed to favour a particular candidate.

“These are the reasons I left the party. What happened there was not an election. It was selection,” he alleged.

ADC Dismisses Allegations

However, the leadership of the ADC has strongly rejected Lawal’s claims, insisting that the presidential primary was conducted transparently and in line with democratic procedures.

The party maintained that the outcome reflected the genuine wishes of its members, stressing that Atiku Abubakar emerged victorious after a competitive process that included other prominent contenders such as former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.

Uncertain Political Future for Lawal

Despite his strong criticisms of both President Tinubu and Atiku Abubakar, Babachir Lawal said he has not yet decided on his next political move. He revealed that he is currently consulting widely and may either align with another political platform or remain outside party structures for now.

“I have not made up my mind on where to go next,” he said, adding that his priority is ensuring that Nigeria gets what he considers credible and effective leadership in 2027.

As political tensions continue to build, Lawal’s remarks have added a new layer of controversy to the already heated race toward 2027, raising questions about internal party democracy, electoral integrity, and the shifting alliances shaping Nigeria’s political future.