Former Nigerian Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a scathing attack on former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, accusing him of engaging in ethnic profiling and describing his remarks as those of a “tribal bigot.”
Atiku’s response follows comments attributed to Babachir, which the former presidential candidate said sought to divide Nigerians along ethnic lines and undermine the country’s long-standing values of unity and inclusiveness.
In a strongly worded statement, Atiku condemned what he described as “dangerous rhetoric,” warning that ethnic profiling has no place in Nigeria’s democratic discourse. He urged political leaders to embrace national cohesion rather than exploit ethnic sentiments for political advantage.
The former vice president maintained that leadership should be anchored on competence, fairness and a commitment to national unity, insisting that divisive narratives only threaten Nigeria’s fragile social fabric.
The exchange marks the latest escalation in the growing political tensions ahead of the country’s evolving opposition realignments, with both camps trading sharp criticisms over issues of identity, leadership and the future direction of Nigeria’s politics.
