Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has announced his resignation from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Bellnews reports that Lawal tendered his resignation through the chairman of the party in Bangshika Ward, Hong Local Government Area, Adamawa State.
In a statement personally signed, Babachir stated that he would disclose his current political affiliation in due course.
He said, “I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress, APC.
“In due course, I will make public my current political affiliation, where I plan to join compatriots to work towards making Nigeria a better living place for all citizens. This resignation takes immediate effect.
“Please remain blessed and extend my warm regards to members of your party.”
Meanwhile, the APC has accused Babachir Lawal of waging a campaign of bitterness against President Bola Tinubu.
The party said Lawal’s failure to secure the vice presidential ticket ahead of the 2023 general election was the reason for his disdain for the incumbent administration.
However, Lawal dismissed the claim, stating that he had no interest in becoming the vice president.
The APC National Vice Chairman (South-East), Ijeoma Arodiogbu, told Punch that Lawal’s repeated criticism of Tinubu under the guise of opposing the Muslim-Muslim ticket was nothing more than a mask for his personal disappointment.
He also alleged that his decision to join forces with the ongoing coalition championed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and erstwhile Governor of Kaduna State, Nasir El-Rufai, was a carryover of his resentment for the President.
He noted that Tinubu’s decision to pick former Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima as his running mate was a strategic move aimed at consolidating northern votes, even though it triggered a wave of dissent within the party and among Christian leaders.
Arodiogbu stressed that former President Muhammadu Buhari remained supportive of Tinubu and had not been alienated by the President or the party.
“The President has never insulted or criticised Buhari. Even when people like Babachir tried to make him do so during the campaign, he refused. His loyalty has never been in doubt,” he said.
Reacting to the allegation while speaking to the publication mentioned above, Lawal said, “Who said I ever wanted to be Vice President? That’s a lie. I never begged anyone. My position on Tinubu is based on principle, not personal ambition.”
According to him, his opposition to the Tinubu administration was rooted in its policies, which he believed had inflicted hardship on ordinary Nigerians, particularly in the North.