Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has indicated that Peter Obi was not entirely devoted to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during his tenure with the party.
Lawal made the comments on Tuesday during a Prime Time interview on Arise Television, when he discussed recent developments in the ADC.
His comments come after Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso left the party, citing internal differences and doubt over the party’s direction.
“We never felt his heart was in it,” Lawal remarked, alluding to Obi’s involvement with the party.
He added that Obi joined the coalition after it had been formed and did not fully integrate into its structure.
According to Lawal, the party leadership attempted to accommodate the former Anambra State governor by allowing him to pick the organising secretary, a position he deemed vital to the party’s electoral processes.
He stated that the decision was intended to ensure Obi’s transparency within the system, but questions about his level of commitment persisted.
Lawal further suggested that Obi’s exit could be linked to his refusal to engage in a contested primary election.
He insisted that the ADC is committed to providing a fair and open process for all aspirants, noting that the party is made up of people with various political goals.
The former SGF also denied suggestions that his support for Obi in the 2023 presidential election represented an ongoing political alliance, stating that their connection at the time was based on common goals.
He also stated that his political decisions were motivated by personal convictions rather than devotion to any individual.