NDC gains ex-SGF Babachir, mobilises polling agents
NDC gains ex-SGF Babachir, mobilises polling agents
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal
File photo: A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal.
By
Adebayo Folorunsho-Francis
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The Nigeria Democratic Congress on Tuesday received former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, into its fold, as the opposition party commenced moves to mobilise and train polling agents nationwide ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lawal, who joined the NDC three months after quitting the African Democratic Congress over alleged manipulation of its presidential primary, declared support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso.
His defection came as the NDC directed its state and local government chairmen to immediately begin compiling and harmonising lists of party agents for the National Assembly, governorship and state House of Assembly elections, with the final lists to be submitted to the party leadership within two weeks.
Announcing his defection to the NDC in Abuja on Tuesday, Babachir 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 has 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 the future of generations yet unborn.”
Receiving Lawal into the party, NDC national leader, Seriake Dickson, described him as a political mobiliser and activist with extensive experience in Nigerian politics.
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He said, “Babachir Lawal does not need any introduction. He was the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, 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 a 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 northeastern 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.
Meanwhile, the NDC has ordered its state and local government chairmen to begin the immediate compilation and harmonisation of party agents for the forthcoming general elections.
The party, in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Osa Director, on Tuesday, directed all state and LGA chairmen to immediately convene meetings with candidates and other relevant stakeholders to collate and harmonise the list of agents.
Director explained that the directive was issued in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act, 2026.
According to him, two separate sets of agents would be compiled, one for the National Assembly elections and another for the governorship and state House of Assembly elections.
The NDC said the lists would be scrutinised and ratified by the party leadership, including its presidential candidate and running mate, before the commencement of training.
The party further directed that the final lists must be countersigned by the state chairmen and the respective candidates to authenticate the nominations and establish ownership.
It added that where disagreements arose between party leadership and candidates over the choice of agents, the candidate’s choice would prevail.
The statement read, “That state and LGA chairmen shall meet with candidates and stakeholders to generate a comprehensive list of two sets of party agents; those for National Assembly elections and another set for governorship/state assembly elections.
“These party agents shall be scrutinised and ratified by the party’s leadership, including the presidential candidate and his running mate, before training commences.”
Continuing, Director highlighted that the directive was part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections, assuring members and supporters that its structures were in place for the campaign.
“The leadership of the party wishes to reassure all members, supporters and stakeholders that the National Democratic Congress is fully prepared and ready for a robust, issue-based campaign, with all necessary structures firmly in place for victory,” he said.
