Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, SGF, Babachir Lawal, has revealed that ex-Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, worked harder for the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential ticket for the 2027 general elections.

In a continuous trade of words with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, the ex-SGF insisted that the ADC primary election that produced Atiku was massively rigged.

Lawal contrasted Amaechi’s activities with what he described as Atiku’s low-profile approach to the contest.

“Someone like Rotimi Amaechi was very confident that if we go to primaries he would win. Everybody around him was extremely confident that Amaechi would win.

“Among the three candidates, Amaechi was the one moving around, working hard to see that he got the ticket,” Lawal said.

Recall that before he dumped the ADC, the ex-SGF alleged that the primary election that produced Atiku was massively rigged, insisting that he has evidence to support his claims.

The Social Democratic Party, SDP, presidential candidate, Adewole Adebayo, has said that tenure elongation for the President and governor; is not Nigeria’s problem but the delivery of dividends of democracy.

Fielding questions during an interview on Arise Television’s ‘Morning Show’ on Wednesday, Adebayo called for the total elimination of what he described as the ‘demon that rigs elections’ in Nigeria.

He insisted that tenure elongation of the president or governors was not the problem but the lack of a functional system.

He said, “We need a political system where the voter decides the winner. My focus is on eliminating the demon that rigs elections once and for all.

“Six-year or four-year term is not the problem. The problem is that you have to have a system that works, a system where the voter decides the winner, where nobody watches INEC as if you are watching a secret society.

“And that political parties raise ideas and new people, so that when you go to a congress or political party, you go with high hope.

“So, my focus as we are heading towards June 12, is that we must once and for all kill the demon of election rigging. We must once and for all allow the voter to vote. So, the issue of how long you stay in power and all of that is irrelevant. It is what you do when you get there.

“So, I think the present system of four years, and if you are good enough, you go for another four years, that is if the people who are actually going to the government are going there only by winning free, fair, and credible elections,” he said.

The Kwankwasiyya Movement spokesperson and member of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Habibu Mailemo, has cleared that there is no crisis in the party, insisting that attention is fully focused on preparations for the 2027 general elections.

Mailemo made this known during an interview on Channels Television on Tuesday, where he addressed concerns over alleged internal tensions and restructuring within the party.

According to him, what is happening in the party is normal political activities ahead of the elections, not a crisis.

“I think NDC, like any other party, is working very hard to ensure that credible candidates emerge that will lead the party into the 2027 general election,” he said.

He explained that disagreements and discussions within political parties are expected, especially during election periods.

“And I believe, like every other party, when there is contestation, naturally you are bound to hear issues here and there. But the party has mechanisms to absorb all these issues and move forward.”

Mailemo also dismissed fears that recent discussions around party authority and structure amount to a breakdown.

He stressed that the Kwankwasiyya Movement remains committed to party discipline and unity.

He said the movement is still studying recent pronouncements regarding party structure and internal arrangements.

He, however, maintained that the Kwankwasiyya Movement remains loyal and disciplined within the party structure.

“Kwankwasiyya is one of the most disciplined movements. Whatever party we are in, we will do all that is necessary to ensure its success,” Mailemo stated.

On allegations of internal conflict over candidate selection and primaries, he insisted that due process was followed across the country.

He said party primaries were conducted on the 29th of last month, alongside consensus arrangements that included all stakeholders.

“For example, primaries were held across the nation on the 29th. Processes were followed up to the latter,” he said. 

“Before that, there were consensus arrangements where nobody was excluded.”

Mailemo also explained that names of candidates who emerged through the process have already been submitted to the party leadership in line with electoral guidelines.

He stressed that Kwankwasiyya members remain committed to party rules and will not act outside established procedures.

“The deal breaker for Kwankwasiyya has always been bending the rules. We are law-abiding people, and we stick to regulations guiding the party and INEC.”

Mailemo said it is difficult to separate Kwankwasiyya members from other party members because of widespread alignment during the political process.

He added that even individuals who recently joined the party participated in the consensus arrangements and primaries without complaints.

“The process was transparent, and no one complained during or after the exercise,” he said.

He maintained that reports of crisis only emerged days after the primaries had been concluded.

The reported crisis in the Kano State chapter of the NDC is said to be linked to the non-release of the party’s primary election results.