…Say Decision Is ‘Collective, Firm and Final,’ Cite Lack of Consultation
Six governorship candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the North-East have rejected the appointment of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, as the party’s leader in the subregion.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the governorship candidates, in a joint statement addressed to the national leadership of the party and its National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, said they would not recognise Lawal in the position, describing their decision as “collective, firm and final”.
CDA News Nigeria gathered that the candidates declared that the appointment was made without consultation with them or other key stakeholders who, according to them, had been directly involved in building the party’s structures and mobilising support across their respective states.
“After due consideration, we have unanimously resolved not to recognise Engr. Babachir Lawal as the Leader of the NDC in the North-East, and we will not recognise him as such,” they stated.
They argued that politics is local and urged the national leadership to take into account the views of those directly involved in the party’s activities and electoral mobilisation across the region. The candidates further expressed concern that the appointment could affect the party’s electoral prospects in the North-East, saying the decision would not add electoral value to the party in the region.
The statement was signed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahamed of Adamawa State, Barr. Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim of Bauchi State, Rear Admiral S. Kashim Ibrahim (Rtd) of Borno State, Dr. Babayo Ardo of Gombe State, Prof. Mohammed Sani of Taraba State, and Ibrahim M. Shitu of Yobe State.
The candidates appealed to the national leadership to review the appointment and engage the affected governorship candidates in the interest of party unity, cohesion, and the strengthening of the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lawal joined the NDC on September 22, 2026, three months after resigning from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over alleged manipulation of its presidential primary. NDC National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, had said Lawal would oversee the party’s activities and campaigns in the North-East .
CDA News Nigeria reports that as of the time of filing this report, the national leadership of the NDC had not reacted to the development.
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