Adamu Garba condemns Babachir Lawal’s remarks on Atiku, alleges ethnic bias

A former presidential aspirant and public affairs commentator, Adamu Garba II, has strongly criticized former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, over recent remarks directed at former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, describing the comments as divisive and ethnically provocative.

In a statement titled “Rejoinder to BD Lawal on His Racist Attack Against Our Father, the Waziri of Adamawa,” Garba accused Lawal of targeting Atiku not on political grounds but because of his Fulani heritage.

Garba took particular exception to Lawal’s use of the term “Kachalla” in reference to Atiku, arguing that the title has increasingly been associated in public discourse with banditry and criminality in parts of northern Nigeria. According to him, the characterization amounted to a broader attack on the Fulani ethnic group.

“BD Lawal was not attacking Atiku Abubakar on political grounds; he was attacking him for the singular reason that he is a Fulani man. That is hugely unacceptable, provoking, inciting and dangerous,” Garba stated.

The former presidential hopeful further faulted Lawal for allegedly describing Atiku’s associates and supporters as “Fulani hegemonists,” a term Garba said unfairly portrayed an entire ethnic group as seeking domination over the country.

Garba also highlighted what he described as Lawal’s long-standing professional and political relationships with prominent Fulani figures, including former President Muhammadu Buhari, former political associates, and Atiku himself. He argued that Lawal had benefitted significantly from the support and opportunities provided by individuals from the same ethnic group he now appeared to criticize.

According to Garba, Buhari played a key role in Lawal’s rise to national prominence, including his appointment as Secretary to the Government of the Federation. He also claimed that Atiku supported Lawal politically after his departure from the All Progressives Congress (APC), providing him with opportunities within opposition politics.

Despite his criticism, Garba maintained that he would not resort to personal insults against Lawal, citing cultural values and respect for elders. However, he urged the former SGF to exercise caution in his public comments and avoid statements that could deepen ethnic divisions or threaten national unity.

“I cannot insult BD Lawal because he is an elder, old enough to be my father. But he should be mindful of utterances that promote division and incite racial attacks capable of harming the peaceful society of Adamawa State and Nigeria at large,” Garba said.

Garba noted that while he and Atiku do not belong to the same political party, he regards the former vice president as a respected elder statesman and leader whose democratic credentials, tolerance, and patience have earned him admiration across political divides.

The exchange marks the latest episode in a growing war of words among prominent northern political figures as discussions over Nigeria’s political future continue to intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.