Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is indirectly responsible for the difficulties faced by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during its recent convention preparations.
Lawal made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, where he spoke extensively about what he described as interference and pressure surrounding the party’s attempt to organise its national gathering.
He said the situation escalated after the party had already concluded arrangements for a venue, only for a sudden reversal to occur late at night, creating confusion and disruption among organisers and delegates.
According to him, members of the party had already begun travelling from different parts of the country and were on the ground when the cancellation or relocation issue emerged, making it practically impossible to adjust plans at such short notice.
Lawal described the development as not only disruptive but also potentially damaging to political participation, arguing that such last-minute changes undermine confidence in democratic processes.
He also raised concerns about what he claimed was pressure placed on the owner of the venue, suggesting that such actions could have wider consequences beyond politics.
“The venue was already confirmed, people were already on their way, and suddenly at night there was a reversal,” he said, explaining the sequence of events that led to the disruption.
He added that the uncertainty created logistical and financial strain for party members who had committed resources to attend the convention.
Lawal further criticised what he described as heavy-handed tactics, warning that such approaches could discourage political engagement and weaken democratic institutions.
“What happened was not just inconvenience; it was pressure on people who are trying to participate in politics,” he said, expressing concern about the broader implications.
He then linked the situation to a recent comment by the president, suggesting that it revealed deeper involvement in the crisis than previously assumed.
According to Lawal’s words, “I just discovered from the President’s comment that he was the architect of it all,” Lawal stated, implying that the leadership of the country may have played a role in the challenges faced by the ADC.