The six governorship candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the North-East geopolitical zone, have vehemently rejected the appointment of Mr. Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, as the leader of the party in the subregion.
The candidates, in a joint statement addressed to the national leader of the party, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, declared that they would have nothing to do with Babachir Lawal, thus would not recognize him for the position.
The statement which was signed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahamed – Adamawa, Mr. Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim – Bauchi, Real Admiral S. Kashim Ibrahim (retd) – Borno, Dr. Babayo Ardo – Gombe State, Prof. Mohammed Sani – Taraba State and Ibrahim M. Shitu – Yobe, and made available to journalists, specifically stated that their decision was “collective, firm and final”.
The Governorship candidates further stated; “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”.
“For the avoidance of doubt, our position is collective, firm and final: we do not recognise Engr. Babachir Lawal as the Leader of the NDC in the North-East, and we will not recognise him as such.
“The appointment was made without consultation with them and other key stakeholders who have been directly involved in building the party’s structures and mobilising support across their respective states,” the stated.
The concerned candidates stressed that politics is local and therefore called on the national leadership of the party to take into account the views of members and other stakeholders directly involved in the party’s activities and electoral mobilisation across the region.
They therefore expressed serious concern that the appointment of Babachir Lawal could affect the party’s electoral prospects in the North-East, and insisted the appointment would not add electoral value to the party in the geopolitical zone.
The gubernatorial candidates said that consultations with them before the appointment would have enabled the national leadership to understand and appreciate the political realities and concerns in the six states of Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe.
Accordingly, the Governorship candidates appealed to the national leadership of the NDC to as a matter of concern and party interest, review the appointment and engage them in the interest of party unity, cohesion and the strengthening of the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections.
While acknowledging the efforts of the NDC national leadership in providing a platform for political participation ahead of the 2027 elections, the Governorship candidates stressed that their objection to Lawal’s appointment remained unchanged.
