Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has described African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, as an “impossible” person to work with, accusing the former vice president of being self-centred and dismissive of people outside his preferred ethnic group.

Lawal made the remarks in a recent media interview circulating on social media, while explaining his strained relationship with Atiku and his decision to leave the ADC.

According to the former SGF, he once considered working with Atiku but later concluded that such an arrangement would not be possible because of what he described as the former vice president’s personality.

“I used to go to him. We used to discuss. I was even hoping at one time I’d be able to work with him,” Lawal said.

Asked what changed, he replied: “It’s impossible to work with him, with my own type of person. It’s not possible. He’s a man full of himself. Everything must be him. He must give it to you at his own wish. He must be in his house.

“You must call him Mr President, even though he’s not. Even though he will never be one. That’s who he is, full of himself.”

Lawal also criticised Atiku’s security arrangements, alleging that the former vice president still moves around with an unusually large convoy despite having left office.

“He’s a former vice president. How many years was he vice president? His convoy is longer than that of all I know up to now. He still goes with the security, just clearing the path,” he said.

“Before he goes to a venue, they still send security to clean the place.”

The former SGF further defended his use of the term “Kachala” in describing Atiku, saying he had deliberately chosen the word because he could not find a better description for his perception of the former vice president.

“He’s Kachala,” Lawal said when asked about the description.

Asked whether the term was appropriate, he replied: “Extremely. I didn’t get a better word for what I know about him. I didn’t get a better word. You know, I searched for my word.”

Lawal subsequently alleged that Atiku does not value people who are not Fulani, saying those outside the ethnic group were, in his view, treated as having little or no relevance.

“It’s a man that doesn’t see life in you if you are not a Fulani man. You are nothing. He doesn’t see you if you are not a Fulani man,” he alleged.

“I can’t say maybe as a Muslim, but if you are not a Fulani man, you are entitled to nothing from him or for him or by him.”

The former SGF was challenged over the perception that several Christians had worked closely with Atiku over the years.

In response, Lawal cited Maxwell Giledo, whom he identified as Atiku’s former legal aide, alleging that Giledo remained loyal to the former vice president despite what he described as poor treatment.

“Maxwell wanted to be a senator. He stopped Maxwell and wanted to give his son the ticket,” Lawal alleged.

He also mentioned Boniface Haruna, saying Atiku had previously selected him as a running mate because of the need to have a Christian on the ticket.

“He took Boniface Haruna as his vice president. He was a deputy governorship candidate because he had to take a Christian in those days,” he said.

Lawal further questioned the continued relationship between Atiku and some of his former associates, including Reverend Jolingame and former SGF Boss Mustapha.

“Where is Reverend Jolingame? Have you ever seen Reverend Jolingame around here?” he asked.

“Who are you saying the Christians are around here? Where is Boss Mustapha, who slaved and almost killed himself working for Atiku? Are they with Atiku?

“Which Christian are you talking about? Tell me one now.”

Lawal also disclosed that he had left the ADC, citing concerns about people within the party and developments surrounding its primary election.

“There are people in ADC. I don’t know, I left ADC now because of the people that are around there. I can’t imagine, after what they did in their primaries, I’ll go and sit with some of them,” he said.

Lawal had previously criticised Atiku’s emergence as the ADC presidential candidate, alleging that the party’s primary process was manipulated in favour of the former vice president. Atiku’s camp has rejected such allegations and maintained that his emergence followed the outcome of the party’s primary.