Babachir Lawal's Leadership Role Sparks NDC Rift

The conflict between Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and Senator Aishatu Dahiru Ahmed Binani, the Adamawa State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), has escalated. This rift highlights a broader struggle for control within the NDC in the North-East as the 2027 elections approach.

Lawal was appointed by the NDC national leadership to lead in the North-East and North-Central zones shortly after joining the party in September, following his resignation from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in June. His appointment was met with resistance from six NDC governorship candidates from various states, who claimed they were not consulted and would not recognize Lawal as their leader.

Lawal countered that the protest was orchestrated by a "female pretender" to the governorship candidacy and asserted that some candidates had distanced themselves from the protest. He denied lobbying for the position and alleged that dissenters were undermining the NDC presidential ticket.