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A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has been appointed to direct the operations and political campaigns of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) across the North East region ahead of the 2027 general election.
The announcement was made by the NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, while officially receiving Lawal into the party’s fold. Dickson praised the high-profile defector as a seasoned strategist, grassroots mobiliser, and political activist with a wealth of experience in national politics.
Lawal formally aligned with the NDC in Abuja, roughly three months after cutting ties with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following disputes regarding the party’s presidential primary process that produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
His appointment to direct the party’s North East political machinery comes on the heels of friction between the NDC and the Obi-Kwankwaso movement concerning the setup of competing presidential campaign structures.
Formally admitting the former SGF into the party, Dickson remarked:“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,” Dickson said.
In his opening address, Lawal stressed that any well-meaning citizen concerned about the prevailing hardship, insecurity, and economic challenges facing the nation must rally behind the NDC and its 2027 presidential ticket.
He pledged his total commitment to the Obi-Kwankwaso joint presidential platform for the upcoming general election.
“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,” he stated.
Explaining his frequent political realignments, the former cabinet official noted that his departures from previous platforms were driven by fundamental disagreements over how their flagbearers were selected.
Reflecting on his time with the Ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Lawal explained that he remained loyal while former President Muhammadu Buhari led the party, viewing the late leader as a figure of high moral standing.
“I did not leave when APC produced Muhammadu Buhari as a presidential candidate, a man of timber and calibre, a man that is known as honest, a man of integrity. I remained there,” he said.
He noted, however, that his stance shifted after the APC nominated a successor whom he felt placed personal ambition ahead of national welfare.
“APC decided to put forward a presidential candidate that prefers self rather than Nigeria,” he said.
Lawal further clarified that his exit from the ADC was triggered by deep dissatisfaction with the internal processes that resulted in Atiku’s emergence as the party’s standard-bearer.
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