Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal's forecast that former Vice President Atiku Abubakar would lose the 2027 presidential election has been rejected by Chille Igbawua, Special Advisor on Research, Policy, and Strategy to the National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Igbawua described Lawal's stance as a personal desire rather than a reliable electoral assessment, claiming it lacked facts, evidence, or any scientific foundation.
He made this claim on Tuesday in an interview with Arise News.
He claimed that Lawal did not provide any proof to back up his want for Atiku to lose.
"I believe it is accurate to say that there is no need to comment on this projection. He stated, "I hope he loses," when he just stated that he was praying because everyone has the right to do so. He will undoubtedly lose. I hope he does not win.
You can not argue against that as a scientific approach to a projection. Therefore, it becomes challenging to refute someone who lacks a foundation for their projections," he stated.
According to Igbawua, the ADC was concentrating on fortifying its political institutions and creating election-winning initiatives.
He insisted that among Nigeria's major parties, the party had created one of the most thorough policy texts.
"I think ADC's programs are well-designed. We currently have one of the strongest manifestos of any political party in Nigeria, in my opinion.
"I think ADC's programs are well-designed. We currently have one of the strongest manifestos of any political party in Nigeria, in my opinion.
"We have a clear-cut policy paper that we are going to work on, and our purpose has always been—and has not changed—to rescue Nigeria from the drift that we are continuously experiencing," he stated.
The ADC official went on to say that organizational efforts and political analysis, not just rhetoric, were the foundation of the party's confidence.
We are trying to figure out what it takes to win an election. Therefore, when we talk about winning, we are speaking from the work and analysis we are doing, not simply rhetoric," he continued.
Igbawua: Obi Joined the Coalition Late
Speaking about former governor of Anambra State Peter Obi's departure from the ADC, Igbawua claimed that Obi was not a member of the initial opposition coalition that ultimately accepted the party as its platform.
He clarified that Obi joined after the alliance had decided on the ADC and finished its deliberations.
"The project began far in advance of Peter Obi's arrival. It would be incorrect to assume that Peter Obi was a member of the opposition coalition movement that evolved into the ADC.
He did not arrive until December 31st of last year, after everything had been completed and we had completed all necessary procedures. Before he entered, we had selected a platform," he said.
ADC Supports the Presidential Primary
Additionally, Igbawua denied claims that the ADC's presidential primary went beyond electoral or internal regulations.
He said that the procedure adhered to the Nigerian Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the party's charter.
Naturally, they are all incorrect. Everything we have done thus far is in compliance with the Federal Republic of Nigeria's Constitution, the party's constitution, and the Electoral Act.
He stated, "Therefore, when someone makes such accusations, he should justify them."
Igbawua claimed that the ADC put itself through a more democratic and competitive process than other parties, albeit acknowledging that the exercise was not flawless.
"I agree that no political party has devoted itself to the procedures that we did, but I do not suggest that this was the cleanest primary ever held.
Of course, neither the APC nor the Labour Party did. All they did was choose candidates. Others did not even try it after that, he claimed.
He maintained that the ADC's procedure showed a greater dedication to internal democracy.
"What we accomplished had a closer appearance of internal democracy than what any other party in Nigeria today has had, even though it may not be flawless," he continued.
Obi-Kwankwaso Calculations Are Faulty by Aide
Igbawua criticized forecasts that merely summed the votes won by both candidates in prior elections in reference to a potential Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket.
He maintained that it was impossible to gauge electoral strength.
The ADC aide insisted that both presidential and vice-presidential candidates must be taken into consideration, criticizing comparisons between an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket and Atiku alone.
He claimed that Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State who had placed second in an All Progressives Congress presidential primary, also had considerable political clout.
Atiku does not have a running mate at that point. You need to put two on this ticket as well if you are putting two together on that ticket.
"Keep in mind that Rotimi Amaechi is also not a pushover because he ran for president under the APC and finished second. Therefore, you have to count the ticket as two people coming together if you put one," he stated.
Igbawua speculated that Lawal's remarks might have been impacted by disappointment over unfulfilled political ambitions.
He stated, "I understand why the former SGF expressed frustration, which he did when he was leaving the party. Of course, if someone has been in a project and had expectations that have failed, he is bound to be upset."
He maintained that a ticket with Atiku and Amaechi would be more powerful than one with Obi and Kwankwaso.
"I think it is completely incorrect to say that an Obi-Kwankwaso ticket is more powerful than an Atiku-Rotimi Amaechi ticket. Of course not," he continued.
Atiku's Electoral Record Is Better
Igbawua stated that Atiku had a better electoral record than Obi and Kwankwaso, pointing out that the three politicians had run against one other in the past.
He is in good standing, yes. Compared to the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket? Of course, of course. "I mean, they have faced off before, and he won," he remarked.
But he emphasized that the ADC wants party principles, not the personalities of individual individuals, to be the driving force behind administration.
The ADC is attempting to shift the burden of governance from individuals to political parties.
For this reason, candidates must adhere to our manifesto. We have a well-defined security program," he said.
He claims that the party's policy structure is intended to solve current shortcomings and yield quantifiable outcomes.
"Every initiative we have in our policy statement aims to create what is lacking, rectify what is failing, and ensure that governance provides clear, measurable outcomes," he stated.
Igbawua stated that while the ADC supported the elimination of the gasoline subsidy, it disapproved of the way the Federal Government handled the revenues it produced.
He contended that the government had not used the savings in a way that lessened the hardship brought on by the policy, nor had it provided a clear accounting for the savings.
"The problem is that the fuel subsidy was eliminated. The majority of individuals did not object to the elimination of the fuel subsidy. But what counts is how you do it," he remarked.
He claims that when a policy is implemented for the benefit of the public, it becomes problematic when it causes hardship.
without a matching sense of relief.
"Now, this government has not taken into account the results or the benefits of eliminating gasoline subsidies, nor has it released statistics to state, 'This is what has come, and this is how it has been used,'" he stated.
Igbawua insisted that maintaining transparency in the use of the extra money was more important than reinstating the subsidy.
"I do not think anyone is going to say we will re-enact or restore gasoline subsidies, and I do not object to their removal.
"But the cry is about the management of resources deriving from the fuel subsidies," he continued.
Party Promises Women's and Youth Inclusion
Igbawua addressed worries about Atiku's appeal to younger people by stating that the former vice president would run on the platform of a party with explicit policy for the inclusion of women and youth.
He pointed out that the ADC had purposefully placed women and young people in leadership roles.
"The African Democratic Congress has some of the best programs for both gender and youth inclusion.
He remarked, "You will see that we have purposefully, as a policy, brought a lot of young men into the leadership of the party."
Igbawua stated that the ADC's dedication to younger Nigerians was demonstrated by the nomination of a woman in her 30s as the party's deputy national secretary.
He added that the ADC had both male and female young leaders, but two of the party's six deputy national chairmen were female.
Thus, ADC is providing young people with numerous opportunities. He added, "We are also doing a lot with women—gender sensitivity by engaging women in government."
Atiku had a reputation of hanging out with younger politicians and professionals, the ADC official continued.
"Atiku is surrounded by a large number of young males. He still surrounds himself with a lot of young men, and he has always done that in the past.
"Therefore, the ADC is emerging as a political party with a clear policy of women's and youth participation, and when our documents
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