Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), three months after resigning from the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Lawal announced his decision in Abuja on Tuesday after meeting with NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, at the senator's Abuja residence and being formally received into the opposition party.
Lawal's defection further strengthens the political realignment around the NDC ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Lawal declaring his support for the party's presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. The former SGF said his decision was driven by what he described as the need for Nigerians concerned about the country's worsening security, economic and social challenges to rally behind a political platform capable of delivering change.
"Anybody in Nigeria who has the interest of our country at heart and sympathy for the suffering that is ongoing in our country, along with insecurity, hunger, ignorance and disease, will have no choice but to join a party that represents the future and has Peter and Kwankwaso as their candidates," he said. Lawal added that he considered it necessary for patriotic Nigerians to support the NDC's objective of electing Obi as President and Kwankwaso as Vice President in 2027.
Receiving Lawal into the NDC, Dickson described the former SGF as an experienced political mobiliser whose influence extended beyond the positions he had occupied in government. Dickson said Lawal had witnessed the evolution of several political parties and had seen platforms that initially promised change but failed to deliver.
According to Dickson, Lawal's experience would be valuable to the NDC as it prepares for the 2027 elections. On behalf of the party's National Working Committee and its presidential candidates, Dickson welcomed Lawal and said he would be expected to play a leadership role in the party's campaign structure, overseeing activities in the North Eastern part of Nigeria.
Lawal's movement to the NDC followed his resignation from the ADC on June 1, after the emergence of Atiku Abubakar as the party's presidential candidate. In his resignation statement, Lawal alleged that the outcome of the primary was manipulated to favour Atiku and his supporters, claiming that results were altered and that declared winners were replaced even in areas where voting had taken place.
Lawal expressed confidence in the party's prospects, saying, "By the grace of God, we look forward to May 29, 2027, to celebrate the feat properly for the good of the country, and future of generations yet unborn."
Key points
- Babachir Lawal joins Nigeria Democratic Congress, citing need for change in the country.
- Lawal pledges support for NDC's presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
- Lawal's defection strengthens NDC's political realignment ahead of 2027 general elections.
