By Joy Yesufu
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), three months after quitting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over allegations that its presidential primary was manipulated in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Lawal announced his defection in Abuja on Tuesday, declaring support for the NDC’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former SGF, who was received by leaders of the opposition party, urged Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger and other socio-economic challenges to support the NDC.
Lawal said his decision was driven by his desire to contribute to what he described as a political alternative capable of addressing the country’s challenges.
He added that he looked forward to working with the party towards the emergence of Obi as President and Kwankwaso as Vice President in 2027.
Receiving Lawal into the party, NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described the former SGF as an experienced political mobiliser and activist.
Dickson said Lawal’s experience would be deployed to strengthen the party’s political structures and campaign activities, particularly in the North-East.
“Babachir Lawal does not need any introduction. He was the former Secretary to the Government of our country, who did well. But behind the official designations that are known, what is not known is that he’s a great mobiliser. He’s actually some sort of political activist also,” Dickson said.
He said the party expected Lawal to provide leadership, guidance and direction to its candidates and campaign structures in the North-East.
“You will oversee the activities of the NDC and our campaigns in the North-Eastern part of Nigeria. We count on you, therefore, to help resolve issues, give guidance and direction to the activities of all our candidates and our campaigns in those zones,” Dickson said.
Lawal’s move to the NDC came about three months after he resigned from the ADC, citing alleged irregularities in the party’s presidential primary.
In June, Lawal announced his resignation from the ADC, alleging that the primary election had been manipulated at various levels to favour Atiku.
He claimed that results were allegedly altered during the collation process and that, in some areas where elections were held, declared winners were allegedly replaced by other candidates.
“I am exiting the ADC because its just-concluded primaries were, at all levels, massively rigged in favour of Atiku Abubakar,” Lawal had said in his resignation statement.
The allegations were rejected by Atiku’s camp, which accused Lawal of making unsubstantiated claims and said the former SGF should have presented evidence of alleged manipulation to the party leadership.
Atiku emerged as the ADC’s presidential candidate after defeating former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi and businessman Mohammed Hayatu-Deen in the party’s presidential primary.
The outcome was also challenged by the other two major contenders.
Lawal subsequently remained outside the ADC before joining the NDC, whose special convention had affirmed the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket for the 2027 election.
His defection adds another political figure to the NDC’s campaign structure as opposition parties and political actors intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.
