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) amid controversy over its presidential primary.
Lawal formally joined the NDC in Abuja on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, declaring his support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former SGF said his decision was motivated by concerns over the challenges confronting Nigerians, particularly insecurity, hunger, ignorance and disease.
“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 considered it necessary for patriotic Nigerians to support the NDC and work towards the emergence of Obi as president and Kwankwaso as vice president.
“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,” he said.
Lawal further said he looked forward to May 29, 2027, which he described as a date for celebrating the outcome of the political project “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 with extensive experience across Nigeria’s political landscape.
Dickson said Lawal would play a leadership role in the party’s activities and campaigns across the North-East.
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“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 welcomed Lawal on behalf of the party’s National Working Committee and its presidential candidates, Obi and Kwankwaso.
Dickson said Lawal would be expected to oversee the NDC’s activities and campaigns in the North-East, while providing guidance and direction to candidates and campaign structures in the region.
“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.
Lawal’s latest political move follows his resignation from the ADC in June 2026 after the party’s presidential primary produced former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as its candidate.
At the time, Lawal alleged that the ADC primary had been manipulated in favour of Atiku, claiming that results were allegedly altered in some areas and that some winners were replaced by individuals he believed were aligned with the former vice president. (Channels Television)
The allegations were rejected by Atiku’s camp, which accused Lawal of making claims without providing evidence and maintained that the ADC primary reflected the decision of party members. (TheCable)
Lawal’s entry into the NDC now places him alongside the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket as the opposition party continues preparations for the 2027 general elections.
The development also marks a change from Lawal’s position earlier in the year, when reports indicated that he had ruled out joining the NDC after leaving the ADC. By September, however, he had publicly aligned himself with the NDC ticket. (vanguardngr.com)