The media office of former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has launched a blistering attack on former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, accusing him of attempting to rewrite history and divert attention from allegations surrounding the ADC presidential primary.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by Atiku’s spokesman, Paul Ibe, the former SGF was accused of resorting to personal attacks instead of addressing what the media office described as his “ignominious role” in an alleged scheme to manipulate the party’s presidential ticket.
“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 had failed in an attempt to influence the outcome of the party’s presidential primary, claiming that officials responsible for conducting the exercise thwarted the alleged plot.
“It is becoming obvious that Babachir Lawal is going bunkers possibly from the abuse of booze,” the statement added, escalating the war of words between both political figures.
Atiku Has Always Condemned Insecurity, Says Media Office
Defending Atiku’s record on national security, the media office insisted that the former vice president has consistently spoken out against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping across the country.
According to the statement, Lawal may have ignored the numerous occasions when Atiku publicly condemned attacks on communities and expressed solidarity with victims.
“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 declared.
The media office noted that despite being a Fulani from Adamawa State, Atiku has repeatedly denounced violent attacks and criticized successive governments over what he described as the deterioration of Nigeria’s security architecture.
Tinubu Government Under Fire
The statement said Atiku has frequently blamed the Federal Government for failing to tackle insecurity decisively, arguing that authorities often issue “empty statements” instead of implementing preventive measures.
It added that the former vice president has consistently advocated a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s counter-terrorism strategy.
Among the measures attributed to Atiku are calls for legislation empowering states to arm and equip local security outfits with modern weapons to support federal security agencies.
The statement also highlighted Atiku’s advocacy for stronger community intelligence networks, urging citizens to cooperate with security agencies and refrain from aiding criminal groups.
Victims Support Framework, Special Courts Proposed
The media office further listed several policy proposals championed by Atiku, including the establishment of a National Victims and Survivors Support Framework to provide psychological care, educational opportunities and economic recovery programmes for communities devastated by violence.
It also disclosed that one of Atiku’s recent proposals was the creation of special courts dedicated to trying terrorism and banditry cases.
“In one of his most recent engagements, the former Vice President proposed Special Courts to not only try these criminals but that those found guilty be handed capital punishment,” the statement said.
“Review The Records”
The Atiku camp concluded by urging Lawal to revisit public records of Atiku’s interventions on security issues across the country.
“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 proffered solutions.
Those engagements covered every state of the country without exception,” the statement added.
