Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal Joins NDC, Declares Support for Obi, Kwankwaso

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A 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) over alleged manipulation of its presidential primary.

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

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

He said the party’s presidential ticket represented an opportunity to address the country’s difficulties and called on Nigerians to support Obi and Kwankwaso.

“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 that he looked forward to May 29, 2027, which he described as a date to celebrate the anticipated success of the NDC ticket.

“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,” he said.

“Every sensible and patriotic Nigerian ought to understand this. 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 an experienced political mobiliser and activist.

Dickson said Lawal’s political experience would be valuable to the party, particularly as it prepares for the 2027 elections.

“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.

The NDC leader said Lawal had witnessed the rise and decline of political parties that had promised change but failed to meet public expectations.

On behalf of the party’s National Working Committee and its presidential candidates, Dickson welcomed Lawal and announced that he would oversee the NDC’s activities and campaigns in the North-East.

“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,” he said.

Dickson added that the party would rely on Lawal for guidance and coordination of its candidates and campaign activities across the region.

Lawal’s defection comes 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 a resignation statement 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 in Atiku’s favour and claimed that, in some areas where voting took place, declared winners were replaced.

The allegations formed the basis of Lawal’s departure from the ADC before his latest move to the NDC.