By Jane Salihu
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), declaring support for the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, as the party intensifies preparations for the 2027 general elections.
Lawal announced his decision during a visit to the NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, and members of the National Working Committee (NWC) in Abuja on Tuesday.
The former SGF, who left the African Democratic Congress (ADC) months ago, said he joined the NDC to contribute to efforts aimed at addressing Nigeria’s security and economic challenges.
Lawal said Nigerians concerned about insecurity, economic hardship, hunger, ignorance and disease should support a political platform committed to changing the country’s circumstances.
Receiving Lawal into the party, Dickson described him as an experienced politician, organiser and mobiliser with considerable knowledge of Nigeria’s political landscape.
The NDC leadership also used the occasion to highlight its preparations for the 2027 elections, particularly its plan to establish a strong network of trained agents across polling units nationwide.
Dickson said the National Working Committee had inaugurated a committee for the selection of party agents, adding that the selected agents would be trained ahead of the elections.
He said the party was working with its leaders across the country to identify Nigerians who would serve as agents and ensure that polling units were adequately covered.
A member of the agent selection committee said the party would ensure that its agents were properly trained and prepared to protect the votes cast for its candidates.
He urged Nigerians to go beyond casting their ballots by remaining at polling units during counting and following the results through the collation process.
A representative of the Kankwansiya support group from Kano said voters in the state traditionally remain at polling units until their votes are counted and announced, adding that the practice would continue during the 2027 elections.
Meanwhile, Dickson cautioned political support groups affiliated with the NDC against operating as parallel structures or competing with the party for control.
He said support groups had an important role in grassroots mobilisation and promoting the party’s candidates but should work within the party’s established structure and campaign framework.
“Support groups don’t compete with the political party that is sponsoring candidates. Support groups don’t compete for supremacy, for space. Support groups are what they are, support groups,” Dickson said.
He added that the NDC recognised the importance of support groups and had made provisions within its structure for their coordination.
