By Jude Opara
The appointment of former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, as the leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the North-East has triggered opposition from the party’s six governorship candidates in the region.
The candidates from Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states said they would not recognize Lawal as the party’s North-East leader, arguing that his appointment was made without adequate consultation with key stakeholders in the region.
In a joint statement addressed to the NDC national leadership and the party’s National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the candidates said political decisions affecting the North-East should reflect the views and realities of those operating at the grassroots.
The development follows Lawal’s recent defection to the NDC and his subsequent assignment to oversee the party’s activities and campaigns across the six North-East states ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The governorship candidates contended that the decision to appoint Lawal was reached without consulting them or other party stakeholders who, according to them, had worked to establish the NDC’s structures and mobilise support in the region.
They expressed concern that the appointment could affect the party’s electoral prospects in the North-East, arguing that they did not believe the decision would provide additional electoral value.
The candidates maintained that consultations with them before the appointment would have enabled the national leadership to better appreciate the political circumstances and challenges in the six states.
They consequently called on Dickson and other national leaders to reconsider the appointment and engage with the governorship candidates in an effort to resolve the disagreement before the 2027 elections.
The statement was signed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahamed of Adamawa, Barr. Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim of Bauchi, Rear Admiral S. Kashim Ibrahim (retd.) of Borno, Dr Babayo Ardo of Gombe, Prof. Mohammed Sani of Taraba and Ibrahim M. Shitu of Yobe.
Although the candidates acknowledged the efforts of the NDC leadership to provide a platform for political participation ahead of the 2027 elections, they said their position on Lawal’s appointment remained unchanged.
They stressed that their objection was collective and firm, insisting that they would not recognize Lawal as the NDC leader in the North-East.
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