Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), about three months after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Lawal formally joined the opposition party in Abuja on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, where he also expressed support for the NDC’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking after receiving his membership card, Lawal said his decision was influenced by concerns over insecurity, economic hardship, hunger, poverty and other challenges facing Nigerians.
He said people concerned about the situation in the country should support the NDC, which he described as a party representing the future of Nigeria.
Lawal said he believed the Obi-Kwankwaso ticket represented an opportunity to pursue what he described as a “noble” objective for the country, and expressed support for their bid ahead of the 2027 election.
The former SGF had previously announced his resignation from the ADC in June 2026. At the time, he alleged that the party’s presidential primary had been manipulated in favour of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Lawal claimed that results from the primary were altered and that some individuals declared winners were replaced. Atiku’s camp rejected the allegations and maintained that the primary reflected the will of party members.
Receiving Lawal into the NDC, the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, described him as an experienced political organiser and mobiliser.
Dickson said Lawal would take a leadership role in the party’s activities and campaigns in the North-East, while also providing guidance on party operations and candidates in the region.
Lawal’s entry into the NDC comes as opposition parties and political actors continue to realign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
