Three Months After Dumping ADC, Babachir Lawal Joins NDC

Barely three months after resigning his membership of the African Democratic Congress(ADC), a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress(NDC).

Lawal had dumped the ADC over alleged manipulation of the party’s presidential primary election in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

The former chieftain of both the ruling All Progressive Congress(APC) and opposition ADC was received into his new party by the National Leader of NDC, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson in Abuja on Tuesday.

Lawal who declared support for the NDC presidential candidate, Peter Obi and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general election also said his movement between political parties was informed by his disagreement with the choices made by the parties in selecting their presidential candidates.

The former SGF said he remained in the APC when late former President Muhammadu Buhari was the party’s presidential candidate because, in his assessment, Buhari was a person of integrity.

“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.

Lawal however, said his position changed after the APC subsequently nominated a presidential candidate whom he alleged did not prioritise Nigeria’s interests.

“APC decided to put forward a presidential candidate that prefers self rather than Nigeria,” he said.

The former SGF further said, he left the ADC because of his dissatisfaction with the process that produced Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate.

Lawal called on Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger and other challenges facing the country to support the NDC at the 2027 polls.

“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.

Speaking after receiving Lawal into the party, NDC National Leader, Dickson described the defector as a political mobiliser and activist with extensive experience in Nigerian politics, adding that he would oversee the party’s activities and campaigns in North East

“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.