Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), a few months after resigning from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Lawal announced his defection in Abuja on Tuesday at a gathering of the party's leaders. He cited the party's programme as the reason for his defection. Lawal had previously served as SGF during the first tenure of late President Muhammadu Buhari.
Lawal left the ADC in June after alleging that its presidential primary, which produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, was manipulated. He had stated that the primary was a "disgraceful charade" and that results were rewritten to favour Abubakar. Lawal was a founding member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) but dumped the ruling party in June 2025 following a disagreement over the Muslim-Muslim ticket of Bola Tinubu and Kashim Shettima.
Lawal resigned from his position as SGF following an alleged contract scandal but was later discharged and acquitted in November 2022. As an indigene of Adamawa State, Lawal said he joined the NDC because of its programme and urged Nigerians concerned about the lingering security challenge, hunger, ignorance, and other challenges to back the party. He expressed optimism that the NDC, with Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso as its candidates, would bring about positive change.
The National Leader of the NDC, Seriake Dickson, welcomed Lawal into the party, describing him as a political mobiliser and activist with huge experience in politics. Dickson said Lawal had seen it all and had experience working with parties that had failed to deliver on their promises. He expressed pleasure that Lawal would play a leadership role in the party's campaigns in the North-eastern part of Nigeria.
Dickson said Lawal would oversee the activities of the NDC and its campaigns in the North-eastern region, helping to resolve issues and provide guidance and direction to the party's candidates. Lawal's defection to the NDC is seen as a boost to the party's chances in the region. The NDC is one of the parties vying for power in the upcoming elections.
Lawal's decision to join the NDC was influenced by the party's vision for Nigeria's future. He stated that any patriotic Nigerian who wants the best for the country would join the NDC. Lawal expressed confidence that the party would install Obi as president and Kwankwaso as vice president by May 29, 2027.
The defection of Lawal to the NDC has been seen as a significant development in Nigerian politics. Lawal's experience and influence are expected to help the party in its campaigns. The NDC is banking on Lawal's leadership skills to help the party achieve its objectives in the upcoming elections.
Key points
- - Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal joins Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) - Lawal cites party's programme as reason for defection from ADC - NDC's National Leader, Seriake Dickson, welcomes Lawal, tasks him with overseeing party's campaigns in North-east Nigeria
