Atiku and Babachir Lawal’s War of Words Deepens Over Terrorism, National Tragedies, and Leadership Questions
A fresh political feud has erupted between former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential flagbearer, Atiku Abubakar, and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, with both men trading sharp accusations over national security, terrorism, and political leadership.
The controversy gained momentum after Babachir Lawal publicly questioned Atiku Abubakar’s record and response to acts of terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria. Speaking during recent political discussions, Lawal alleged that Atiku has consistently failed to demonstrate sufficient sympathy for victims of terrorism and violent attacks across the country. According to him, the former Vice President has not shown the level of public outrage expected from a leader seeking the nation's highest office.
One of the incidents repeatedly referenced in the debate is the tragic killing of Deborah Samuel, a Christian student who was lynched in Sokoto State in May 2022 after allegations of blasphemy. The incident sparked national and international condemnation, with human rights organizations, religious leaders, and political figures calling for justice.
At the time, Atiku Abubakar initially issued a statement condemning the killing and calling for justice. However, the statement was later deleted from his social media account. A subsequent explanation from his camp stated that the message had been published without his approval by members of his media team. The withdrawal of the statement generated widespread public reactions and criticism from several quarters, with many questioning the decision to distance himself from the condemnation.
Babachir Lawal has now revived that episode as part of his criticism of Atiku's leadership credentials. He argues that the Deborah Samuel incident reflected a broader pattern in which Atiku allegedly avoids taking strong public positions on sensitive security and terrorism-related issues. Lawal further claimed that he has rarely heard Atiku openly condemn kidnappings, mass killings, or terrorist attacks in the manner expected of a national leader.
The allegations have added another layer to the growing political tension between the two former allies. In recent weeks, Lawal has openly challenged Atiku's suitability for the presidency, while also raising concerns about developments within the ADC and the conduct of the party's internal processes.
Atiku's camp has strongly rejected the accusations. In separate statements, the former Vice President accused Lawal of engaging in ethnic profiling and promoting divisive narratives instead of focusing on policy-based criticism. Atiku maintained that political disagreements should be rooted in facts, governance issues, and leadership performance rather than prejudice or conspiracy theories.
His media team further defended his record on national security, pointing to several public statements in which Atiku criticized the government's handling of insecurity, advocated reforms in Nigeria's security architecture, and proposed stronger support systems for victims of terrorism and violent crimes. The camp insisted that portraying him as indifferent to the suffering of Nigerians was inaccurate and politically motivated.
The exchange highlights how security, terrorism, and national unity are once again becoming central themes in Nigeria's evolving political landscape. With terrorism, banditry, kidnappings, and communal violence remaining major concerns across several parts of the country, political leaders are increasingly being scrutinized not only for their policy proposals but also for their public responses to national tragedies.
As preparations for future political contests intensify, the Atiku-Babachir confrontation is expected to remain a significant talking point, reflecting broader debates about leadership, accountability, empathy, and the role of public figures during moments of national crisis.
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