Atiku fires back at Babachir Lawal, accuses him of ethnic profiling and spreading conspiracy claims

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, Atiku Abubakar, has strongly condemned remarks made by ex-Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, accusing him of fuelling ethnic prejudice and pushing divisive narratives at a time when Nigeria needs unity.

In a statement issued on Sunday through his aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described Lawal’s recent attacks as lacking factual basis and relying instead on ethnic stereotyping and inflammatory language intended to discredit political opponents.

Atiku said the most concerning aspect of Lawal’s comments was the attempt to link an entire ethnic group to the crimes of a few individuals. He warned that such reasoning threatened national cohesion and risked widening existing fault lines in a country already facing insecurity and economic hardship.

The former vice president also pointed out contradictions in Lawal’s position, noting that the same individual who now criticises him had previously served under former President Muhammadu Buhari, who is of Fulani extraction. Atiku questioned why Lawal had no objection to receiving such trust and elevation from a Fulani president but now seeks to stigmatise the ethnic group because another Fulani man is pursuing the presidency through democratic means.

Atiku further rejected claims that he has been indifferent to victims of violence across the country. He cited his visit to Kagoro in Southern Kaduna after attacks on the community, where he attended a church thanksgiving service to show solidarity regardless of the victims’ ethnicity or religion.

He also highlighted his intervention following the Chibok schoolgirls’ abduction, noting that he facilitated scholarships for some of the released girls at the American University of Nigeria, Yola, and that many have since graduated and rebuilt their lives.

Atiku dismissed attempts to question his business record as detached from reality, pointing to the American University of Nigeria as a visible achievement of private initiative.

He advised Lawal to step away from what he called the politics of hate, adding that Nigeria needs statesmen, not merchants of bitterness. Atiku reaffirmed his commitment to building a united country where every citizen enjoys equal opportunity and dignity regardless of ethnicity, religion, or region.

The exchange follows a Facebook post by Lawal in which he challenged Atiku’s character and competence, urging the ADC to consider a more qualified candidate.