2027: Ex-SGF, Babachir Lawal, Heads NDC Campaign In North East

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, will oversee the activities and campaigns of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) in the North East.

This was disclosed by the NDC National Leader, Sen. Seriake Dickson, who received Lawal into the party, describing the defector as a political mobiliser and activist with extensive experience in Nigerian politics.

Lawal joined the NDC in Abuja, barely three months after he dumped the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over alleged manipulation of the party’s presidential primary election in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.

He was picked to lead the party’s campaign in the North East shortly after the NDC and the Obi-Kwankwaso movement clashed over the establishment of parallel presidential campaign councils.

But welcoming the former SGF into the NDC, Dickson said, “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.

Speaking earlier, the former SGF said anybody who has the interest of Nigeria at heart and is worried over the suffering in the country must support the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC) and its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, at the 2027 general election.

He declared support for the NDC presidential candidate, Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 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.

Lawal 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 the 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.