Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), saying insecurity, hunger, economic hardship and other challenges confronting Nigerians influenced his decision to back the party’s Peter Obi-Rabiu Kwankwaso presidential ticket for the 2027 election.
Lawal was formally received into the NDC in Abuja on Tuesday, where he said Nigerians concerned about the country’s condition should support what he described as a “noble patriotic objective.”
He said the prevailing challenges had made it necessary for people who were concerned about the country to work with the NDC.
“Anybody at all in Nigeria that has the interest of our country at heart and has sympathy for the suffering that is going on in our country, enabled by insecurity, economic degradation, hunger, ignorance and disease, will have no choice but to join a party that presents Peter Obi and Kwankwaso,” Lawal said.
He added, “It is now convincing to partner with NDC to see to the fulfilment of this very noble patriotic objective of installing Peter Obi as the President, and Rabiu Kwankwaso as the Vice President in 2027.”
Lawal said he looked forward to May 29, 2027, when Nigerians would, in his words, celebrate having done what was “proper” and “good for the country” and future generations.
The former SGF was subsequently handed a major campaign responsibility by the NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson.
Dickson named Lawal as the party’s Coordinator of Campaigns for the North-East and North-Central, citing his experience in political organisation, mobilisation and activism.
According to Dickson, Lawal would coordinate the party’s campaign activities, candidates and campaign structures across the two regions.
“He will oversee and guide the activities of our party, our candidates and our campaigns in the North-East. With him directing and guiding, we have no doubt that the performance of our party in the region can be repeated,” Dickson said.
He added that Lawal would also take responsibility for the party’s campaign activities in the North-Central.
“From today, you will also oversee and guide the efforts of our party, our candidates and all our campaigns in the North-Central,” Dickson said.
The NDC leader said the party would intensify its mobilisation in Adamawa and other parts of northern Nigeria as preparations for the 2027 election gather momentum.
Dickson warns support groups
Dickson also warned support groups backing Obi and the NDC ticket against operating as rival political structures.
He said such groups had an important role in grassroots mobilisation but should work with, rather than compete against, the political party sponsoring the candidates.
“Support groups don’t compete with the political party that is sponsoring candidates. They don’t compete for supremacy or political space,” he said.
Dickson urged the groups to mobilise support, promote the candidates and cooperate with the party’s campaign structures.
“Our advice to support groups is that the more they are, the merrier. You have a role to play, and your work is huge,” he said.
The NDC leader also dismissed concerns over the party’s performance in recent by-elections, saying the party was conserving its resources for the 2027 general election.
“We are waiting to mobilise and show strength in the main election,” Dickson said.
He further condemned reported attacks and violence involving opposition parties in parts of the country, calling for those responsible to be identified and punished.
“There has to be consequences for that misbehaviour and encouragement of violence, criminality and brigandage,” Dickson said.
He urged political actors to abide by the rules, while alleging that attacks on opposition politicians were connected to concerns over the NDC’s growing political strength ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lawal’s latest position marks a change from his public stance earlier in the year. In June, he had said he had retired from active politics and had not decided whom to support, while reports in July quoted him as expressing support for an Obi/Kwankwaso Ticket