Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), three months after resigning from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over alleged manipulation of its presidential primary.

Lawal announced his defection to the NDC in Abuja on Tuesday, where he also declared his support for the party’s presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking after he was formally received into the opposition party, the former SGF said Nigerians concerned about insecurity, hunger and other challenges confronting the country should support the NDC.

Lawal said Nigerians who were concerned about the prevailing difficulties in the country would have reason to support a party he described as representing the future, with Obi and Kwankwaso as its presidential and vice-presidential candidates.

He expressed confidence in the NDC ticket and said he looked forward to May 29, 2027, which he described as a date to celebrate the achievement of installing Obi as President and Kwankwaso as Vice-President.

Receiving Lawal into the party, NDC National Leader and former Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Seriake Dickson, described him as an experienced political mobiliser and activist.

Dickson said Lawal would play a leadership role in the party’s activities and campaigns in the North-East geopolitical zone, including providing guidance and direction to candidates and campaign structures in the region.

Lawal’s defection came about three months after he resigned from the ADC, alleging that the party’s presidential primary had been manipulated to favour former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar.

In his resignation statement, Lawal alleged that the primary results were altered in favour of Atiku and his supporters, and that declared winners in some areas were allegedly replaced.

The former SGF said he could no longer remain in a party whose primary process he considered fundamentally flawed.

His movement to the NDC is part of the continuing political realignment among opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The NDC has emerged as a platform for several prominent opposition figures, including Obi and Kwankwaso, who are expected to lead the party’s presidential ticket in the forthcoming election.