Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Babachir Lawal has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He was unveiled in Abuja alongside NDC National Leader Senator Seriake Dickson. Lawal declared his endorsement for a Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso joint ticket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Babachir Lawal was a founding member of the APC. He served as SGF under President Muhammadu Buhari from 2015 to 2017. He was sacked over corruption allegations. He remained a vocal critic of the Buhari administration. In 2023, he supported Peter Obi against Bola Tinubu. He argued that a northern Muslim should not succeed Buhari. His position put him at odds with the APC establishment. He has now formalised his break by joining the NDC.
Lawal’s endorsement is significant. He is a northern Christian with political networks. His support for Obi and Kwankwaso signals a cross-regional alliance. Obi is from the southeast. Kwankwaso is from the northwest. A joint ticket would balance the regions. The NDC is a new party. It gained INEC recognition in February 2026. It has absorbed Obi, Kwankwaso and other figures. Lawal’s addition strengthens its northern presence.
The 2027 election is shaping up as a three-way contest. Tinubu runs on the APC. Atiku runs on the ADC. Obi and Kwankwaso run on the NDC. The opposition is split. That favours Tinubu. Lawal’s endorsement does not change the arithmetic. It adds credibility. It also signals that some northern elites are willing to back a southern candidate.
Lawal’s history matters. He was a Buhari loyalist. He fell out with the establishment. His endorsement of Obi in 2023 was surprising. His formal move to the NDC is a logical next step. He has burned his APC bridges. The NDC is his new home.
Winners: The NDC, which gains a northern voice. Obi and Kwankwaso, who gain an endorsement. Lawal, who gains a new platform. Losers: The APC, which loses a founding member. Tinubu, whose northern support faces erosion. Atiku, who loses a potential ally. The Buhari legacy, which is further contested.
Bottom Line: Babachir Lawal joined the NDC. He backs Obi and Kwankwaso. The opposition is fragmented. Tinubu benefits from the split. Lawal’s move adds noise, not numbers. The 2027 race is still Tinubu’s to lose.