The recent defection of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has reignited the debate on political defections in Nigeria. Lawal's move has raised questions about the ease with which politicians switch parties, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching. Section 29(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 requires political parties to submit candidate particulars 120 days before an election, but the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has directed parties to submit membership registers by September, following a court ruling.
Lawal's defection to the NDC has sparked curiosity given his past alliances and recent association with Peter Obi. The former SGF has been a prominent figure in Nigerian politics, helping to build the All Progressives Congress (APC) coalition in 2015. His tenure as SGF ended in controversy in 2017, and his relationship with the APC became strained before the 2023 presidential election. Lawal opposed the APC's Muslim-Muslim ticket, describing it as a serious political mistake, and eventually left the party.
The Adamawa chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) became divided into rival camps, with one faction associated with Lawal and another backed by Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed, popularly known as Binani. The disagreement centered on leadership and control of the party structure in the state. Lawal served as the ADC North-East zonal vice-chairman and was a prominent figure in the party's organizational structure in the region.
Binani, the ADC governorship candidate, had established a significant political profile in Adamawa before joining the party. Her emergence as a leading figure in one of the ADC factions further underscored the competing political interests within the party. The differences between the two camps contributed to a deeper crisis in the Adamawa ADC, with the Binani-aligned faction announcing its withdrawal from the party in April 2026.
Reactions to Lawal's defection have been mixed. Alhaji Tijjani Mustapha, a former chairman of the Legacy African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Kaduna State, described Lawal's defection as a relief, allowing members to focus on strengthening the party's structures. Rev. Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Northern Christian Association (NCA), stressed that every citizen has a constitutional right to belong to any political party of their choice.
Anthony Sani, a former Secretary-General of the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), attributed the frequent movement of politicians between parties to the absence of clearly defined ideological differences among Nigeria's major political parties. He argued that politicians tend to choose platforms that can provide a viable route to electoral success rather than making choices based on which party can deliver better governance.
Lawal's defection has sparked debate on the implications for the 2027 general elections. As activities for the elections commence, Lawal's move to the NDC has raised questions about the potential impact on the party's fortunes in Adamawa State and beyond. The development has also highlighted the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria's political parties in terms of internal democracy and member loyalty.
Key points
- Babachir Lawal's defection to the NDC has sparked debate on political defections in Nigeria.
- The defection has raised questions about the ease with which politicians switch parties, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching.
- The development has highlighted the ongoing challenges facing Nigeria's political parties in terms of internal democracy and member loyalty.
