Lawal, a former National Vice Chairman of the party’s zone, explained that his disagreement with former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was not about dominance but about respecting the party’s hierarchy and leadership arrangements.
“No, not at all. There was never a contention for control of the Adamawa ADC,” Lawal said, adding that the party had its own executives responsible for managing affairs at different levels.
He stated that Atiku’s former position as vice president did not give him the authority to issue directives beyond the party structure or override officials occupying recognised positions.
Lawal alleged that some individuals close to Atiku often approached him with complaints, after which the former vice president attempted to give instructions directly. He said he resisted such moves because he did not believe political influence should replace the authority of party organs.
“Knowing that I am not the type of person he can order around, he would sometimes try to leapfrog me and go directly above me, but I never allowed it even there,” Lawal said.
