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, Engr. Babachir Lawal, as the party’s leader in the region. In a joint statement addressed to the national leadership and National Leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the candidates declared their position as “collective, firm and final”.
The candidates argued that Lawal’s appointment was made without consultation with them or other key stakeholders who had been instrumental 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.
The gubernatorial candidates expressed concern that the appointment could negatively affect the party’s electoral prospects in the North-East ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that politics is local and that consultations would have enabled the national leadership to better understand the political realities in the six states. They appealed to the national leadership to review the appointment and engage them in the interest of party unity and cohesion.
The statement was signed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahamed (Adamawa), Barr. Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim (Bauchi), Real Admiral S. Kashim Ibrahim (Rtd) (Borno), Dr. Babayo Ardo (Gombe), Prof. Mohammed Sani (Taraba), and Ibrahim M. Shitu (Yobe). Despite acknowledging the national leadership’s efforts, the candidates maintained their position remained unchanged.