Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress and declared support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lawal was received into the party in Abuja on Tuesday by the NDC National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, alongside members of the National Working Committee, on behalf of Obi and Kwankwaso. The development was announced by the party’s Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Agada Abuh Theophilus.
Speaking after his defection, the former SGF said Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger, disease and other challenges facing the country should support the NDC.
“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 have Peter and Kwankwaso as their candidates,” Lawal said.
He added, “Every sensible and patriotic Nigerian ought to understand this. 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.”
Lawal’s move to the NDC came about three months after he resigned from the African Democratic Congress, alleging that its presidential primary had been manipulated in favour of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.
At the time, Lawal alleged that results had been altered to favour Atiku and his allies and said he did not want to remain in a party he believed had become a “rigging machine” ahead of the 2027 elections. Atiku subsequently dismissed the allegations as speculation without evidence.
Receiving Lawal, Dickson described him as an experienced political mobiliser and activist, saying the NDC expected him to play a leadership role in its campaign activities 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,” Dickson said.
He added that Lawal would help guide the activities of NDC candidates and campaigns in the North-East.
Lawal’s defection comes as the NDC moves to finalise its Presidential Campaign Council, with the party saying Obi and Kwankwaso have been given a free hand to nominate key campaign officials.
