Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lawal, who was formally received into the opposition party in Abuja on Tuesday, also declared his support for the presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
His move to the NDC comes about three months after he resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following his allegations that the party’s presidential primary had been manipulated in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. The allegations were disputed by Atiku’s camp.
Speaking after his defection, Lawal said his decision was influenced by concerns over insecurity, hunger, economic hardship, ignorance and disease in the country.
He said Nigerians concerned about the challenges facing the country should support a political platform that, in his view, represents a different direction for Nigeria.
Lawal specifically endorsed the proposed Obi-Kwankwaso combination, expressing support for Peter Obi as presidential candidate and Rabiu Kwankwaso as his running mate in the 2027 election.
Receiving Lawal into the party, NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, described him as an experienced political organiser and mobiliser.
Dickson said Lawal would play a leadership role in the party’s activities and campaigns in the North-East, with responsibilities that include providing guidance and direction to candidates and campaign structures in the region.
The former SGF’s defection comes as the NDC intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections and works to finalise its presidential campaign structure.
The party has also said Obi and Kwankwaso would have significant input into the selection of key officials for the Presidential Campaign Council, including the Director-General, deputy director-general for the North, spokesperson, head of new media and finance officials.
Lawal’s entry adds another prominent political figure to the NDC as the party builds its structures ahead of the 2027 elections.
