Babachir Lawal Joins Nigeria Democratic Congress Amid Party Switches

Babachir Lawal has switched political parties six times since 2002, with his latest move occurring on September 22 when he joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), three months after leaving the African Democratic Congress (ADC). His entry into the NDC aligns him with Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party's presidential and running mate candidates for the 2027 elections.

In June, Lawal departed the ADC, alleging that its presidential primary was rigged in favor of Atiku Abubakar, a claim the party disputed. Previously, he campaigned for Obi under the Labour Party during the 2023 election cycle.

Lawal began his political career in the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) in 2002, coordinating Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign in Adamawa. He later followed Buhari into the Congress for Progressive Change in 2010 and was part of the committee that merged parties into the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2013.

Lawal served as Secretary to the Government of the Federation from 2015 until 2017, when he lost his position amid controversy. He left the APC in late 2022 over its Muslim-Muslim presidential ticket and has now been tasked with leading the NDC's North-East campaign structure.