Six NDC Governorship Candidates Reject Babachir Lawal as North-East Leader
Abbey Governor
9/28/20262 min read
Six governorship candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) across the North-East have rejected the appointment of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, as the party’s leader in the region ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The six candidates said they would not recognise Lawal in the position, arguing that his appointment was made without adequate consultation with them and other stakeholders involved in building the party’s structures across the North-East. Their position was contained in a joint statement addressed to the NDC national leadership and the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson. Lawal recently joined the NDC and was subsequently assigned a leadership responsibility to coordinate the party’s activities and campaign efforts across the North-East. However, the six governorship candidates said the decision had generated concerns among stakeholders in the region, particularly because they were not consulted before the appointment was made.
The candidates maintained that political decisions concerning the North-East should take into account the views and experiences of those working at the grassroots. They emphasised the importance of local political structures and realities, stating that “politics is local.” The candidates further expressed concern that Lawal’s appointment could have implications for the NDC’s electoral prospects in Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states. According to them, they did not believe the appointment would provide additional electoral value to the party and argued that consultations with the governorship candidates could have helped the national leadership better understand the political dynamics across the six states.
Candidates Reject Lawal’s Appointment In their joint statement, the six candidates declared that they had collectively decided not to recognise Lawal as the NDC leader in the North-East. “After due consideration, we have unanimously resolved not to recognise Engr. Babachir Lawal as the Leader of the NDC in the North-East, and we will not recognise him as such,” they said. They urged Dickson and other members of the party’s national leadership to reconsider the appointment and engage with the affected stakeholders. The candidates said such engagement would be important for maintaining unity and cohesion within the party as it prepares for the 2027 elections.
Six Governorship Candidates Sign Statement The statement was signed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahamed, NDC governorship candidate in Adamawa State; Barrister Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim of Bauchi State; Rear Admiral S. Kashim Ibrahim (retd.) of Borno State; Dr. Babayo Ardo of Gombe State; Prof. Mohammed Sani of Taraba State; and Ibrahim M. Shitu of Yobe State.
The candidates acknowledged the efforts of the NDC leadership in creating a platform for political participation ahead of the 2027 elections. However, they stressed that their objection to Lawal’s appointment remained unchanged. “For the avoidance of doubt, our position is collective, firm and final: we do not recognise Engr. Babachir Lawal as the Leader of the NDC in the North-East, and we will not recognise him as such,” they said. The development comes as political parties and emerging alliances intensify preparations, mobilisation and internal organisation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The disagreement over the North-East leadership role therefore places renewed attention on the importance of consultation between the NDC’s national leadership, governorship candidates and grassroots stakeholders as the party builds its structures across the region.SEO Information