Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal Says Tinubu ‘Rattled’ by ADC’s Growing Influence, Insists Coalition Will Rescue Nigeria

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has accused President Bola Tinubu of being rattled by the rising influence of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Lawal, who currently serves as the ADC National Deputy Chairman, made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Inside Sources programme on Sunday. He argued that the President’s recent comments revealed deep concern within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) over the opposition’s growing strength.

According to Lawal, the ADC is positioning itself as a rescue platform for Nigerians who, he said, are suffering under unbearable hardship and widespread insecurity under the current administration.

“Nigeria is facing insecurity of unimaginable proportions. Nigerians are facing an economic crisis of unimaginable proportions,” Lawal said. He lamented that many citizens now struggle to afford food, school fees, transportation, and other basic necessities, with some civil servants forced to work in shifts because they cannot afford fuel for their daily commute.

“Every Nigerian is in danger of losing his life, of starving to death, of being unable to live the life that we are expected to live under a good Nigerian government,” he added.

Lawal further claimed that even President Tinubu “needs to be rescued from himself,” criticising the President’s recent assertion that being in power would make the next election easier for him. He described such a comment as a sign of panic and a loss of political decorum.

He also alleged that APC governors were not sincerely backing the President, and accused Tinubu of personally orchestrating efforts to suppress opposition parties. “Listening to that interview, I realised that he is the architect of it all,” Lawal stated.

The ADC has recently emerged as a major opposition coalition, attracting high-profile politicians including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, and ex-Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who attended the party’s national convention on April 14.

In response, President Tinubu had described the ADC’s gathering as a “street convention” and accused the coalition of attempting to hijack the party, insisting that he would not be intimidated ahead of 2027.