JUST IN: Babachir Lawal joins NDC three months after ADC exit - Punch Newspapers

NDC National Secretary, Ikenna Enekweizu; National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson; and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, during his unveiling in Abuja on Tuesday. Photo: Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis.

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, three months after resigning from the African Democratic Congress over alleged manipulation of its presidential primary. Lawal announced his defection to the NDC in Abuja on Tuesday, declaring his support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections. Speaking after he was received into the opposition party, the former SGF said Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger and other challenges facing the country should support the NDC. He said, “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.”See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Receiving Lawal into the party, NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described him as a political mobiliser and activist with extensive experience in Nigerian politics. 2027: NNPP denies joining coalition, says no deal with other parties 2027: NDC cedes key campaign council appointments to Obi, Kwankwaso 2027: NDC begins mobilisation of polling agents nationwide  He 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.” Lawal’s defection came about three months after he resigned from the ADC, alleging that the party’s presidential primary had been manipulated to favour former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. In his resignation statement, shared on his official Facebook page, Lawal said he could no longer remain in a party whose primary process he described as fundamentally flawed. The former SGF alleged that results were altered to favour Atiku and his supporters, adding that even in areas where voting was conducted, declared winners were allegedly replaced. Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis The PUNCH journalist, Adebayo, has over 20 years of experience covering politics, health, metro, entertainment and properties

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