JUST IN: Babachir Lawal joins NDC three months after leaving ADC

Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, three months after leaving the African Democratic Congress over alleged manipulation of the party’s presidential primary.

Lawal announced his defection in Abuja on Tuesday and declared his support for the NDC presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking after he was received into the opposition party, the former SGF said Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger and other challenges facing the country should support the NDC.

He said, “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.

“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. So, 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.”

Receiving Lawal into the party, NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described him as a political mobiliser and activist with extensive experience in Nigerian politics.

He said, “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.

“He has seen it all and seen parties that were promising but failed to deliver on the promised change. These are parties that have taken our country from top to bottom, and now they are even digging the ground to bury the country. On behalf of the national working committee and our candidates, Peter Obi and his running mate, Dr Rabiu Kwankwaso, we welcome you.

“We are pleased to have you play a leadership role that only you can play at those levels. 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.”

Lawal’s defection came about three months after he resigned from the ADC, alleging that the party’s presidential primary had been manipulated to favour former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

In his resignation statement, which he shared on his official Facebook page, Lawal said he could no longer remain in a party whose primary process he considered fundamentally flawed.

He alleged that results were altered to favour Atiku and his supporters, adding that even in areas where voting was conducted, declared winners were allegedly replaced.