Politics

2027: Babachir Lawal Reveals Why He Prefers Tinubu’s ‘Devil’ to Atiku’s Presidency

Published

5 months ago

June 9, 2026

Babachir Lawal

2027: Babachir Lawal Reveals Why He Prefers Tinubu’s ‘Devil’ to Atiku’s Presidency

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has maintained that despite his criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, he would still prefer Tinubu over former Vice President Atiku Abubakar in the 2027 presidential election. Lawal made the statement on Monday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, where he argued that if Nigerians are forced to choose between the two political figures, Tinubu remains the better option. He asserted that the country would fare worse under Atiku’s leadership compared to the current administration. “I have said it before: if the choice must be between Atiku and Tinubu, then despite the shortcomings of Tinubu’s administration, he would still be a far better president compared to what Atiku would bring Nigeria into,” Lawal stated. Using a striking metaphor to drive home his point, he added: “When you are faced with choosing between two devils, you pick the lesser one. Even among devils, there are different categories.” Lawal further elaborated on this comparative assessment, stating, “I believe that Bola Tinubu’s presidency, as bad as it is now on a comparative level, Tinubu would be an excellent President compared to what Atiku would plunge us into.”

Lawal’s comments come amid his recent attacks on Atiku following his dramatic exit from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). He had accused the party of conducting a heavily manipulated primary election that produced Atiku as its candidate. In his resignation statement, Lawal alleged that the ADC’s primary elections were “massively rigged” at all levels in favour of Atiku and his political allies. “Results were just written or rewritten to favour him and his coven. Even where they allowed some semblance of election to hold, the winners were simply replaced with members of his syndicate,” he claimed. The former SGF said he could not remain in what he described as a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 general elections. “I do not intend to be part of Kachalla Atiku’s rigging machine in the 2027 general elections,” Lawal wrote on his Facebook page.

READ ALSO:

In a particularly sharp attack, Lawal repeatedly labelled Atiku as “Kachalla,” a term he claimed is a title traditionally bestowed upon bandit leaders. During the Channels Television interview, when asked why he adopted this moniker for the former Vice President, Lawal alleged a connection to the ongoing insecurity in the country. “Have you seen Atiku condemning bandit attacks?” Lawal questioned, explaining his rationale for the comparison. He also argued that supporting Atiku would inadvertently strengthen President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term. “For me, working for Kachalla Atiku means giving Tinubu an automatic ticket to a second term, which gives me nightmares,” he stated.

In a striking admission about the dynamics of the 2027 election, Lawal warned that President Tinubu would be virtually unbeatable if electoral manipulation becomes the determining factor. “If the parameter for winning elections in Nigeria is rigging, nobody can face Bola Tinubu in this country,” he said. He added with dramatic effect: “If Atiku’s strength is in manipulating results, I wish him luck; he will meet the master rigger in front.” Lawal predicted that Tinubu would secure a “landslide” victory in 2027, claiming that no politician could match the President when it comes to navigating electoral contests.

Beyond his criticisms of Atiku, Lawal also expressed support for one of Atiku’s opponents in the ADC primary. He stated that Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, a former Managing Director of the defunct FSB International Bank and former Chairman of the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), is more competent than Atiku. Asked whether Hayatu-Deen was more competent, Lawal responded emphatically: “Hayatu-Deen is more competent than Atiku. They can’t even be in the same boat. They are not on the same boat and are not possibly talking about the same sea.”

READ ALSO:

In response to Lawal’s allegations, Atiku’s camp has launched a fierce counter-attack. Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, dismissed Lawal’s claims as baseless and accused the former SGF of lacking the moral authority to speak on electoral integrity. Shaibu pointed to Lawal’s controversial tenure as SGF under former President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that he was removed from office in 2017 following his indictment in the alleged N544.1 million grass-cutting scandal. “Mr Lawal is not remembered for any celebrated crusade for accountability. Rather, he remains one of the most prominent public officials ever removed from office under the cloud of the infamous grass-cutting contract scandal,” Shaibu stated. The Atiku camp also questioned Lawal’s consistency, noting that he appeared willing to accept the same ADC primary process in Adamawa State, where his cousin, Omar Suleiman, emerged as the party’s governorship candidate. “Mr Lawal has also failed to explain how the very same primary process he now dismisses as fraudulent somehow produced a result he appears perfectly willing to accept in Adamawa State,” Shaibu said. He added that Lawal has “produced no documents, no verifiable facts, no credible witnesses, and no proof whatsoever to support his sensational allegations.”

The ADC had declared Atiku the winner of its presidential primary after he polled 1,846,370 votes. Former Rivers State governor Rotimi Amaechi came second with 504,117 votes, while Mohammed Hayatu-Deen placed third with 177,120 votes. Both Amaechi and Hayatu-Deen subsequently rejected the outcome and boycotted the announcement of the results.

Despite his strong criticisms of Atiku and his preference for Tinubu in a comparative sense, Lawal clarified that he is not currently backing any presidential hopeful, including former Labour Party candidate Peter Obi. “I am supporting nobody. I don’t want to be part of anything for now,” he stated. The former SGF said he would instead retire to his village to focus on farming and agriculture-related activities while consulting with like-minded colleagues on strategies to stop Atiku from winning the presidency in 2027.

Lawal’s resignation and comments come amid increasing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections. President Tinubu has already secured the presidential ticket of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) for the 2027 election and is expected to face opposition from candidates of rival parties, including Atiku of the ADC and Peter Obi, who is now the candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC). In the 2023 general election, Tinubu was declared elected by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after polling 8,794,726 votes to defeat Atiku, who secured 6,984,520 votes, and Obi, who got 6,101,533 votes. As the 2027 election cycle gathers momentum, Lawal’s dramatic exit from the ADC and his blistering attacks on Atiku have added fresh tension to an already volatile political landscape. Whether his claims of primary manipulation will gain traction or be dismissed as sour grapes remains to be seen, but his metaphor of choosing the “lesser devil” has already ignited widespread debate across Nigeria’s political space.

2027: Babachir Lawal Reveals Why He Prefers Tinubu’s ‘Devil’ to Atiku’s Presidency

Related Topics:Atiku Babachir Lawal Tinubu

Up Next

Okonkwo Releases Evidence Against Peter Obi as ₦5bn Defamation Battle Looms

Don't Miss

Power-Sharing Showdown: NDC Replaces Kwankwasiyya-Nominated Candidates in Kano

Politics

Obasanjo Blames Tinubu’s Economic Policies for Rising Poverty

Published

15 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo

Obasanjo Blames Tinubu’s Economic Policies for Rising Poverty

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, saying the sharp depreciation of the naira has reduced Nigerians’ purchasing power and worsened poverty across the country.

Obasanjo made the remarks on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, during the Financial Times Africa Summit in London, United Kingdom, where he questioned the economic consequences of the administration’s policies, particularly its foreign exchange reforms and the removal of the petrol subsidy.

The former president argued that the naira’s decline against the United States dollar had significantly weakened the financial position of Nigerian households, making it more difficult for citizens to afford essential goods and services.

He said the exchange rate had moved from approximately ₦500 to the dollar to about ₦1,500, a development he described as a major loss in the value of Nigerians’ money.

“We do not live in isolation as a country. We interact with the rest of the world. And overnight, you devalue the currency by 300 percent. The naira went from N500 to a dollar to N1,500 to a dollar,” Obasanjo said.

He added that the depreciation had made Nigerians poorer and contributed to the country’s severe poverty challenge.

“What that meant was that every Nigerian is made poor by 300 percent. That made Nigeria become the poverty capital of the world, which means Nigeria has the largest number of poor people in the world,” he said.

Obasanjo questioned the benefits of the currency adjustment, insisting that a policy that substantially eroded citizens’ purchasing power could not be considered beneficial to the country without examining its consequences for ordinary people.

“You cannot say to me that that is good for Nigeria. You cannot say to me that that is good for us in any sense,” he added.

The former president’s comments have added to the ongoing debate over the impact of the Tinubu administration’s economic reforms on inflation, living standards, business costs and poverty.

Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy shortly after assuming office in May 2023. His administration subsequently introduced foreign exchange reforms that allowed the naira to trade more freely against other currencies.

READ ALSO:

The government has defended the measures as necessary to address longstanding economic distortions, reduce pressure on public finances, improve the efficiency of the foreign exchange market and attract investment.

However, the reforms coincided with a sharp depreciation of the naira and increases in the cost of imported goods, transportation and other essential commodities, placing considerable pressure on household budgets.

Obasanjo also challenged the argument that the removal of the petrol subsidy was the only viable option available to the government, contending that corruption accounted for a substantial portion of the costs associated with the previous subsidy arrangement.

He argued that tackling corruption within the petroleum subsidy system could have reduced the financial burden on the government and limited the amount of support required.

The former president’s position differs from that of the Tinubu administration, which has maintained that ending the subsidy was necessary to reduce government expenditure and free up resources for development.

Obasanjo questions Tinubu’s second-term bid

Obasanjo also questioned the argument that Tinubu should be given a second term to consolidate his economic reforms, asking what specific policies were being sustained if the outcome was greater hardship for citizens.

He criticised the suggestion that Nigerians should continue to endure the consequences of the reforms without clearer evidence that their living conditions were improving.

The former president maintained that his criticism was directed at the administration’s economic policies and their impact on the public.

He also expressed doubts about the direction of the economy, saying he could not identify clear signs that conditions were improving for Nigerians.

Calls for production and anti-corruption measures

Despite his criticism, Obasanjo outlined measures he believes could help improve Nigeria’s economic prospects, identifying corruption, wasteful spending and unnecessary luxury as areas requiring urgent attention.

He argued that public resources must be managed more responsibly, while government expenditure should be directed towards priorities capable of improving citizens’ welfare.

Obasanjo also stressed the need to strengthen domestic production, saying Nigeria must produce more goods and services rather than depend heavily on imports.

His recommendations centred on reducing corruption, curbing waste and increasing productivity as part of a broader strategy to improve the economy.

The former president also referred to Ghana’s currency performance as a point of comparison, arguing that developments in the neighbouring West African country raised questions about Nigeria’s economic management.

However, exchange-rate movements alone do not provide a complete measure of economic performance, as inflation, export earnings, foreign reserves, productivity and other factors also influence a country’s financial position.

Tinubu, in his Independence Day address on October 1, 2026, defended his administration’s reforms, describing them as difficult but necessary measures to address longstanding weaknesses in the economy. He argued that the government was moving from economic adjustment towards broader prosperity.

The disagreement between the two leaders reflects the wider national debate over whether the reforms will eventually deliver improved living standards or whether changes to their implementation are needed to reduce the burden on households.

As Nigerians continue to contend with the cost of living, the central question remains whether economic growth, currency stability and government revenue gains can translate into affordable food, transportation, housing and other basic necessities.

Obasanjo Blames Tinubu’s Economic Policies for Rising Poverty

Politics

‘People Are Hungry’ Is Not a Manifesto, Nya-Etok Tells Atiku, Obi

Published

15 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi

‘People Are Hungry’ Is Not a Manifesto, Nya-Etok Tells Atiku, Obi

The Executive Director of the Federal Housing Authority, Arch. Ezekiel Nya-Etok, has challenged former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to present concrete policy proposals for tackling hunger and economic hardship, insisting that describing Nigerians as hungry is not a solution.

Nya-Etok, who made the remarks during an interaction with journalists in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said politicians seeking to lead Nigeria must explain how they intend to address the country’s challenges rather than merely highlighting the suffering of citizens.

According to a report by National Witness published on October 20, 2026, the housing agency executive argued that acknowledging hunger and hardship was only a description of the situation, not a practical plan for resolving it.

“People are hungry is a situation report and not a solution,” he said, urging opposition politicians to explain how their proposed policies would improve the lives of Nigerians.

He added that political parties and candidates should provide clear explanations of their plans, including how they intend to implement their promises and achieve their economic objectives.

The comments come as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2027 presidential election, with candidates and political parties increasingly debating the economy, poverty, insecurity and the cost of living.

READ ALSO:

Atiku, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has repeatedly criticised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration over the rising cost of living and what he described as worsening poverty.

In an October 1, 2026, address marking Nigeria’s Independence Day, Atiku accused the All Progressives Congress-led administration of deepening the economic difficulties facing Nigerians. He called for measures to make essential goods and services more affordable and outlined a proposal for a targeted subsidy on locally refined petroleum products.

Obi, the presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has also identified hunger, poverty and insecurity as major challenges confronting the country.

Speaking in Abuja in September, Obi called on political leaders to shift their attention from political disagreements to finding solutions to the difficulties facing ordinary Nigerians. He argued that political competition should focus on improving citizens’ welfare and reducing poverty.

Nya-Etok’s criticism appears to centre on the need for candidates to go beyond identifying these problems and explain the policies through which they intend to solve them.

Nya-Etok defends Tinubu’s economic reforms

The Federal Housing Authority executive also defended the Tinubu administration, arguing that increased revenue allocations to state governments had helped them meet financial obligations, including the payment of salaries, pensions and gratuities.

He maintained that reversing the removal of the petrol subsidy would return Nigeria to a period when many state governments struggled to meet their financial responsibilities.

Nya-Etok also expressed support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, predicting that the president would secure victory in 2027.

He argued that the current political situation offered the incumbent an advantage, while expressing concerns about the implications of a possible return to power by Atiku.

He also questioned the expectations surrounding Obi’s presidential ambition, arguing that the demands placed on an Obi-led administration could prove difficult to meet within a four-year term.

On corruption, Nya-Etok expressed scepticism about promises to eliminate the practice, arguing that addressing it would require confronting deeper problems within Nigerian society and governance.

His comments add to the growing political debate over whether the country’s next administration should prioritise reversing existing economic policies, introducing targeted relief measures or pursuing alternative strategies to increase production, create jobs and reduce poverty.

With the 2027 election approaching, the debate is likely to place greater emphasis on the economic proposals of presidential candidates, their funding arrangements and the practical steps they intend to take to improve the living conditions of Nigerians.

‘People Are Hungry’ Is Not a Manifesto, Nya-Etok Tells Atiku, Obi

Politics

Tinubu’s Second-Term Denial Could Trigger Political Crisis, Ex-NAHCON Chairman Warns

Published

24 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Trends Admin

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Professor Abdullahi Saleh Usman

Ex - National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Sheikh Abdullahi Saleh

Tinubu’s Second-Term Denial Could Trigger Political Crisis, Ex-NAHCON Chairman Warns

Former Hajj commission chairman urges fairness in power rotation, cites security gains and lower food prices

The immediate past chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), Sheikh Abdullahi Saleh Pakistan, has warned that denying President Bola Ahmed Tinubu a second term in office could plunge Nigeria into a political crisis.

Pakistan said allowing Tinubu to complete two terms, as former President Muhammadu Buhari did, would help sustain the informal understanding of power rotation between the North and South and prevent future political tensions.

The former NAHCON chairman made the remarks while addressing youth groups at his residence in Kano, where he argued that political leaders should not be rejected primarily because of their regional origins.

He warned that attempts to deny Tinubu re-election on such grounds could create a dangerous precedent for future presidential contests, particularly for northern politicians seeking to serve two terms.

“We have to be fair to Tinubu. The type of politics we are playing where we reject somebody because of the region he came from is dangerous. If we sustain this, we will suffer in the future,” he said.

Pakistan recalled Tinubu’s support for Buhari’s second-term ambition, arguing that the former Lagos State governor had stood by the late president and insisted that he should complete his two terms despite concerns about his health.

According to him, it would be unfair for political actors to oppose Tinubu’s second-term bid after Buhari, who came from the North, was allowed to serve eight years.

He warned that denying a southern president the opportunity to complete two terms could undermine the informal power-sharing arrangement between the two regions.

“The way Tinubu supported late Muhammadu Buhari and insisted that he completed his two terms, even though he was ill, and now some people are working hard to deny Tinubu a second term, we will fling the country into a political crisis in the future. Nobody will allow any northerner to take two terms,” he said.

The former NAHCON chairman’s position comes amid growing political discussions over zoning, regional representation and the 2027 presidential election.

Although Nigeria’s Constitution does not require presidential power to rotate between the North and South, the practice has remained an important political consideration in the country’s party negotiations and presidential contests.

However, the decision on who becomes president ultimately rests with the electorate through the constitutional electoral process.

Pakistan also defended the Tinubu administration’s handling of insecurity, arguing that the president inherited significant security challenges from previous administrations.

He identified the Boko Haram insurgency and banditry as major problems confronting the country, claiming that the former began before Buhari assumed office, while banditry expanded during the latter’s administration.

The cleric argued that the security situation should be assessed in the context of the challenges inherited by the Tinubu government rather than being used solely as a political weapon against the president.

He particularly cited the Abuja-Kaduna highway, which experienced serious security concerns during Buhari’s administration, as an example of what he described as an improvement under Tinubu.

“Up to the time Buhari finished his second term in office, a journey from Abuja to Kaduna was suicidal. You only heaved a sigh of relief when you arrived in Kaduna. But now you can leave Abuja at 12am and arrive at Kaduna safely. It means there is an improvement,” Pakistan said.

He also recalled attacks on the Abuja-Kaduna railway, which heightened fears among passengers and disrupted confidence in train travel along the route.

According to him, the security situation has improved compared with the period when kidnappers and armed groups posed serious threats to travellers.

His assessment, however, represents his own view of the security situation, and the extent of any improvement would require a broader examination of security incidents and official data across affected locations.

On the economy, Pakistan argued that the prices of some food commodities had declined under the Tinubu administration, citing rice and millet as examples.

He claimed that a bag of rice, which he said sold for about ₦120,000 under Buhari, now cost approximately ₦57,500.

“Under Buhari, a bag of rice sold for ₦120,000, but today it is ₦57,500. It is less than half the amount under Tinubu,” he said.

The former commission chairman, who identified himself as a farmer, also compared millet prices, saying he sold a bag for about ₦85,000 under Buhari, while the commodity now sells for approximately ₦30,000.

The figures were cited by Pakistan to support his argument that the current administration had recorded improvements in some areas of the economy.

However, food prices vary by location, quality, season and market conditions. The figures he provided were not accompanied by details establishing a uniform nationwide price decline, and they should be understood as his personal comparison rather than a comprehensive assessment of the cost of living.

Nigeria’s economic conditions, including food affordability, inflation and household purchasing power, remain important issues in the debate over the performance of the Tinubu administration.

Pakistan maintained that political disagreements over the president’s re-election should not be driven by regional considerations, warning that the consequences could extend beyond the 2027 election.

He urged Nigerians to consider the long-term implications of their political decisions, arguing that fairness in the treatment of political leaders was necessary to preserve stability and confidence in the country’s power-sharing arrangements.

His comments add to the ongoing debate over Tinubu’s second-term ambition, with supporters emphasising continuity and regional balance, while political opponents continue to assess the administration’s performance and prospects ahead of the next general election.

Whether Tinubu secures another term will ultimately be determined by the electoral process and the decisions of Nigerian voters.