Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal claims he recruited Obi, Kwankwaso to ADC ahead of 2027 polls
Former SGF Babachir Lawal claims he personally recruited Peter Obi and convinced Rabi’u Kwankwaso to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC), stating this during an Arise Television Prime Time interview on Monday, September 28, 2026. Lawal said he was among the ADC’s founding fathers on July 2, 2025, which installed former Senate President David Mark as national chairman, and that he attended every ADC meeting until finally securing Obi’s commitment.
Lawal added that while they persuaded Kwankwaso to join ADC, the former Kano governor remained fearful that Atiku Abubakar’s presence would prevent positive outcomes. Lawal alleged Kwankwaso later dumped ADC after its primary election, which he claimed was massively rigged to produce Atiku as the party’s presidential candidate. Significantly, Lawal revealed he joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) last week to support Obi and Kwankwaso as the party’s presidential and vice-presidential candidates for 2027.
These claims highlight shifting alliances in Nigeria’s opposition landscape ahead of the 2027 elections, with a former top government official asserting direct influence over key opposition figures’ party affiliations while now backing them through a different party. The ADC’s internal struggles over perceived rigging and leadership dynamics emerge as a subplot in the broader opposition consolidation efforts.
What does this mean for voters assessing opposition unity and credibility as 2027 approaches, especially given Lawal’s transition from ADC architect to NDC supporter of the same candidates he claims to have recruited?