Former SGF Babachir Lawal Joins NDC, Receives Mandate to Strengthen Party in North
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Engr. Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), three months after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Lawal was formally received into the NDC on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, in Abuja, in the presence of members of the party’s National Working Committee (NWC) and other senior party officials. Reports from multiple Nigerian news outlets confirmed his defection to the opposition party.
Welcoming the former SGF into the party, the NDC leadership expressed appreciation for his decision to join the party and said his experience and extensive political network would be valuable to the organisation as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.
In remarks during the reception, the NDC leadership thanked Lawal for believing in the party and requested him to provide leadership and support in strengthening its structures across the North-East and North-Central zones.
He was also asked to assist in coordinating, guiding and supporting NDC candidates and party structures in the two geopolitical zones.
The party said it would count on Lawal’s political experience, leadership capacity and extensive network as it works to expand its structures and deepen its presence across the northern part of the country.
Lawal’s entry into the NDC comes after his resignation from the ADC in June 2026. He had previously been associated with the opposition coalition that operated through the ADC but later left the party following the emergence of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as its presidential candidate.
At the time, Lawal alleged that the ADC presidential primary process had been manipulated in favour of Atiku. His allegations were disputed by the ADC leadership. Reports subsequently indicated that he was considering joining the NDC after leaving the ADC.
His movement to the NDC had been preceded by a meeting with NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, in Abuja on Tuesday.
Earlier reports had described the meeting as a closed-door engagement before his formal reception into the party was announced.
Lawal has previously played a prominent role in opposition politics. Ahead of the 2023 presidential election, he was among northern political figures who supported Peter Obi, then the presidential candidate of the Labour Party. He later became associated with the ADC coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
Following his entry into the NDC, Lawal also expressed support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
Reports quoting his remarks said he urged Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger and other socioeconomic challenges to support the NDC.
The development adds another prominent political figure to the NDC as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The NDC leadership said it looks forward to working with Lawal and other members of the party in strengthening its structures and advancing multiparty democracy and good governance in Nigeria.
Lawal’s assignment to help coordinate and strengthen the party in the North-East and North-Central is expected to place his extensive political experience and networks at the disposal of the party’s candidates and structures in the two regions.
The former SGF was a key figure in Nigeria’s federal administration under former President Muhammadu Buhari, serving as Secretary to the Government of the Federation before leaving office in 2017.
His defection to the NDC marks another significant political realignment within Nigeria’s opposition camp ahead of the 2027 elections.
