Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress, three months after quitting the African Democratic Congress amid allegations of irregularities in the party’s presidential primary.
Lawal was unveiled as a member of the NDC in Abuja on Tuesday, where he expressed support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The former SGF said his decision was influenced by concerns over the security situation, economic hardship and other difficulties confronting Nigerians.
Addressing party leaders after his reception, Lawal urged Nigerians who were concerned about the country’s challenges to support the NDC, saying the party represented what he described as a new political direction.
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.”
Lawal also expressed optimism about the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket, saying he looked forward to the 2027 elections and what he described as the opportunity to advance the interests of the country.
Receiving him into the party, NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described Lawal as an experienced political organiser with a long history of involvement in Nigerian politics.
Dickson said the former SGF would be given a leadership role in coordinating the party’s activities and campaign across the North-East, adding that his experience would be useful to the party.
Lawal’s move to the NDC follows his June resignation from the ADC, where he alleged that the party’s presidential primary process had been manipulated to favour former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
The allegation formed part of his stated reasons for leaving the party.
