NDC gubernatorial candidate rejects Babachir Lawal as North East leader

The decision of the Democratic Congress (NDC) to appoint former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, as the party leader in the north-east zone has not gone down well with party stakeholders in the region.
The party’s six gubernatorial candidates in the sub-region have rejected the appointment, saying they would not recognize him as leader.

The gubernatorial candidates, in a joint statement addressed to the party’s national leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, and presented to journalists on Sunday, said they would not recognize Lawal’s position, and described their decision as “collective, firm and final.”

The candidates stated that the appointments were made without consulting them or other key stakeholders who they said were directly involved in building the party structure and mobilizing support in their respective states.

“After careful consideration, we have unanimously decided not to recognize Engr. Babachir Lawal as Leader of the NDC in the North East, and we will not recognize him as Leader,” they said.

They argued that politics is local and urged national leaders to take into account the views of those directly involved in party activities and electoral mobilization across the region.

The gubernatorial candidates further expressed concern that the appointment could affect the party’s electoral prospects in the North East, and said they were of the view that the decision would not add electoral value to the party in the region.

They said consultations with gubernatorial candidates before appointment would allow national leaders to better understand the political realities and concerns in the six states.

They, therefore, appealed to the national leadership to review the appointment and engage with the affected gubernatorial candidates in the interest of party unity, cohesion and strengthening the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections.

The statement was signed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahamed of Adamawa State, Barr. Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim from Bauchi State, Rear Admiral S. Kashim Ibrahim (Rtd) from Borno State, Dr. Babayo Ardo from Gombe State, Prof. Mohammed Sani from Taraba State and Ibrahim M. Shitu from Yobe State.

While the candidates acknowledged the efforts of the NDC national leadership in providing a platform for political participation ahead of the 2027 elections, they maintained that their objections to Lawal’s appointment have not changed.

“For the avoidance of doubt, our position is collective, firm and final: we do not recognize Engr. Babachir Lawal as the Leader of the NDC in the North East, and we will not recognize him as Leader,” they concluded.