Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has issued a stark warning to Northern governors and other elected officials, declaring that they will not secure re-election in 2027 unless they defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Lawal, a prominent voice within the Northern political landscape, asserts that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has “destroyed and marginalized the North.”
Speaking in an interview on Trust TV’s Sunday Politics, Lawal, who also chairs the National Political Consultative Group (North), emphasized that the current political climate leaves northern officials in the APC with no viable path to victory. “Which northern elected official will go to campaign on the platform of the APC this coming election? Nobody. Unless ab initio, you have no plan to win election. I can’t see anywhere,” he stated.
When directly asked if this warning extended to governors seeking re-election, Lawal was unequivocal: “Unless they join the ADC, they will not win…simply because they belong to a destructive party. A party that woefully failed to perform.” He claimed that discussions are already underway with some of these governors regarding their potential move to the ADC.
Allegations of Northern Marginalization
Lawal echoed recent criticisms from Rabiu Kwankwaso, accusing President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deliberately neglecting Northern Nigeria in terms of infrastructure development. “Every Nigerian that has anything to do with the North will know that no infrastructure work is going on at any level,” Lawal alleged. “No projects are going on — at least they are not visible to the eye. Maybe in their imagination, maybe in the spirit — but we don’t see it.”
He continued, “We don’t see any construction work. We don’t see any infrastructure going on. No federal government project whatsoever.” Lawal defended Kwankwaso’s earlier assertions, noting their shared technical backgrounds make them keen observers of physical development.
Lawal’s strong stance comes as the National Political Consultative Group (North) has reportedly adopted the ADC as its platform for the 2027 general elections, signaling a strategic realignment of Northern political forces ahead of the next electoral cycle.
