Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has urged Nigerians not to support former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election, accusing him of promoting ethnic politics.
Speaking during a public engagement, Mr Lawal alleged that Mr Atiku’s approach to national politics was rooted in ethnic considerations rather than a commitment to building an inclusive and united Nigeria.
He argued that the country needed a leader capable of transcending regional and ethnic divisions, insisting that Nigerians should prioritise competence, national unity and credible leadership when choosing the next president.
Mr Lawal’s remarks come amid increasing political realignments and early manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general election, with key political figures positioning themselves for what is expected to be a fiercely contested race.
Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 election, has yet to publicly respond to Mr Lawal’s latest comments.
