“I wanted to work with Atiku but I am not a man of divided loyalty” — Babachir Lawal
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has disclosed that he once wanted to work with Atiku Abubakar but could not do so because he was serving under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Speaking in an interview with Diaspora Digital Media, Lawal said he had remained loyal to Buhari while in office and did not want to serve two political interests at the same time.
“The reason that I could not work with you before was because I was working with Buhari and I’m not a man with divided loyalty. Now my Oga has finished and returned to Daura, I can work with you,” he said.
Lawal also recounted efforts to mobilise northern political support ahead of the 2027 election, saying he contacted several political figures and advocated for broader northern cooperation.
His relationship with Atiku later deteriorated after Lawal resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in June 2026 and alleged that the party’s presidential primary was manipulated in Atiku’s favour. Atiku’s camp rejected the allegations, attributing Lawal’s criticism to personal grievances
