Babachir Lawal Joins NDC, Backs Peter Obi–Kwankwaso Ticket for 2027
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), three months after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over allegations that its presidential primary was manipulated.
Lawal announced his move to the NDC in Abuja on Tuesday, where he also declared his support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former SGF said Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger, poverty and other challenges should support the NDC. He argued that the party represented a political alternative for those seeking changes 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,” Lawal said.
He added that he was looking forward to the 2027 election and called on Nigerians to support the NDC’s presidential ticket. Lawal said his objective was to contribute to what he described as the party’s effort to install Obi as president and Kwankwaso as vice president.
Receiving Lawal into the party, NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Seriake Dickson, described him as an experienced political mobiliser and activist. Dickson said Lawal would play a leadership role in the party’s activities and campaigns across the North-East.
Lawal’s defection follows his June 2026 resignation from the ADC. At the time, he alleged that the party’s presidential primary had been manipulated to favour former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Lawal claimed that results were altered and that some declared winners were replaced.
The allegations were rejected by Atiku’s camp, which said Lawal had provided no evidence to substantiate his claims. ADC had declared Atiku winner of the primary after he defeated Rotimi Amaechi and Mohammed Hayatu-Deen.