Babachir Lawal Defects to NDC, Backs Obi-Kwankwaso Ticket

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Lawal announced his move on Tuesday after meeting with NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, at the senator’s residence in Abuja.

The former SGF had resigned from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on June 1 following the emergence of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate.

Lawal had previously expressed support for a possible Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket, saying he would back the combination if Obi returned from his political sabbatical. He also supported Obi’s presidential bid on the Labour Party platform during the 2023 election.

Speaking after joining the NDC, Lawal said his decision was driven by what he described as concerns over insecurity, hunger, ignorance and disease in the country.

“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,” he said.

Lawal said he believed joining the NDC would provide an opportunity to support Obi and Kwankwaso, who are the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates respectively.

“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 added.

He said he looked forward to May 29, 2027, which he described as the date to celebrate the outcome of the political project if successful.

The NDC has recently emerged from legal challenges over its registration. On September 18, the Court of Appeal in Abuja set aside a Federal High Court judgment that had affected the party’s registration, with Dickson subsequently saying the party remained eligible to participate in the 2027 elections.