Six governorship candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the North-East have rejected the appointment of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, as the party’s leader in the region.
The candidates, in a joint statement addressed to the NDC national leadership and National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, said they would not recognise Lawal in the position.
They described their decision as “collective, firm and final”, arguing that the appointment was made without consulting them or other stakeholders involved in building the party’s structures and mobilising support across the six states.
RELATED NEWS:
- INEC Uploads NDC Modified Logo, Updates Leadership Details
- NDC Secures Court Order Directing INEC to Use Modified Logo
- 2027: Tinubu Support Group Dismisses ADC, NDC Chances of Defeating Tinubu in Kano
- NDC Edo South Primary: Court Adjourns Agbonayinma’s Suit to November 26
“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 stated.
The candidates said political decisions affecting the region should take into account the views of those involved in grassroots mobilisation, stressing that “politics is local.”
They also expressed concern that Lawal’s appointment could affect the party’s electoral prospects in the North-East, saying they did not believe the decision would add electoral value to the party in the region.
According to them, consultation with the governorship candidates before the appointment would have given the national leadership a better understanding of the political realities and concerns across the six states.
Candidates Demand Review of Appointment
The candidates appealed to the NDC national leadership to reconsider Lawal’s appointment and engage with them in the interest of party unity and cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections.
The statement was signed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahamed of Adamawa State; 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.
While acknowledging the efforts of the NDC national leadership in providing a platform for political participation ahead of the 2027 elections, the six candidates said their position on Lawal’s appointment had not changed.
“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 stated.
The disagreement follows Lawal’s recent move to the NDC, after which the party assigned him a leadership role overseeing its activities and campaigns across the North-East.
The six states covered by the region are Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.