Former Nigerian Minister Quits ADC, Alleges Primary Fraud

A former Nigerian cabinet official has resigned from a major opposition party, alleging widespread fraud in its recent presidential primary election. Babachir Lawal, who served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation, announced his departure from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Monday, June 1, 2026.

In a statement, Lawal accused the party of conducting a massively rigged primary designed to favor former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who was declared the party's presidential candidate. He described the process as a compromised and predetermined internal exercise lacking transparency and fairness. Lawal alleged that results were written or rewritten to benefit Abubakar and his allies, and that even where elections appeared to be held, genuine winners were replaced with preferred candidates.

He said he could not remain in a party where such practices had become normalized, stating he sensed a conspiracy of silence among most members. Lawal framed his resignation as a refusal to participate in what he called Abubakar's rigging machine for the 2027 general elections.

Beyond the allegations of primary misconduct, Lawal articulated a stark political calculation. He...