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Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has criticized former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, claiming he has not been consistent in publicly speaking against terrorism and insecurity in parts of Nigeria, particularly the North-East.
Lawal made the remarks during an interview on Channels Television, where he discussed national security issues and the public positions of key political figures on violent incidents and terrorism-related activities across the country.
He stated that while he had not frequently heard Atiku speak directly against terrorism in the North-East, he recalled an instance in which the former vice president reacted to a high-profile killing in Sokoto State.
Lawal referenced the killing of Deborah Samuel, a student who was lynched in Sokoto State over allegations of blasphemy, an incident that sparked national and international outrage at the time.
According to him, Atiku initially issued a public statement condemning the killing, but the statement was later withdrawn.
In Lawal’s words, “When Deborah Samuel was brutally murdered in Sokoto Atiku issued press release condemning the action. The following day he withdrew it and apologized and said it was his pressmen that issued it without his approval.”
Lawal claimed that the withdrawal of the statement raised questions about the former vice president’s communication process and his personal stance on sensitive national issues.
He further suggested that there had been limited public instances where Atiku directly and strongly condemned terrorist activities or violent attacks in the North-East, a region that has experienced prolonged insecurity due to insurgency and banditry.
The former SGF argued that political leaders have a responsibility to consistently and clearly speak out against violence and terrorism, regardless of political considerations or regional sensitivities.
He emphasized that silence or perceived inconsistency from influential political figures could be interpreted in different ways by the public, especially in a country grappling with widespread insecurity.
Lawal maintained that leadership requires not only policy proposals but also moral clarity in addressing acts of violence and terrorism whenever they occur.
He said public reactions from national leaders play an important role in shaping national discourse and reinforcing societal condemnation of criminal acts.
