Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has officially joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). This move comes three months after he left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over allegations of manipulation of the party's presidential primary process. Lawal was unveiled as a member of the NDC in Abuja, where he declared his support for the party's presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after he was received into the opposition party, Lawal stated that Nigerians concerned about the country's challenges should support the NDC. He emphasized that anybody in Nigeria who has the interest of the country at heart and sympathy for the suffering that is ongoing in the country, along with insecurity, hunger, ignorance and disease, will have no choice but to join a party that represents the future and have Peter and Kwankwaso as their candidates.
Lawal added that supporting the NDC had become a necessary step towards achieving a better future for the country. He noted that every sensible and patriotic Nigerian ought to understand this, and it is now convincing to partner with the NDC to see to the fulfilment of the very noble objective of installing Obi as the president and Kwankwaso as vice president. This move is seen as a significant boost to the NDC's presidential campaign.
Receiving Lawal into the party, NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described him as a political mobiliser with extensive experience in Nigerian politics. Dickson said Lawal's experience would be valuable to the party's activities, particularly in the North-East region. He stated that the former SGF would oversee NDC campaign activities in the zone and provide guidance to candidates and party members.
Lawal's move to the NDC comes about three months after his resignation from the ADC, where he alleged that the party's presidential primary process was manipulated to favour former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. In his resignation statement, Babachir Lawal said he could no longer remain in a party whose primary process he described as fundamentally flawed.
The former SGF served under former President Muhammadu Buhari before later becoming one of the prominent figures involved in opposition coalition discussions ahead of the 2027 elections. His joining of the NDC is seen as a significant development in the country's political landscape, with the party seeking to capitalize on his experience and influence.
With his extensive experience in Nigerian politics, Lawal is expected to play a key role in the NDC's campaign activities, particularly in the North-East region. His support for Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso is seen as a boost to their presidential campaign, and the party is hoping to make significant gains in the region.
Key points
- Babachir Lawal joins NDC citing concerns over insecurity, hunger and other challenges facing the country.
- Lawal's move to the NDC comes three months after his resignation from the ADC over allegations of manipulation of the party's presidential primary process.
- The former SGF is expected to oversee NDC campaign activities in the North-East region and provide guidance to candidates and party members.
