Six NDC governorship candidates reject Babachir Lawal’s appointment as North-East leader

Six candidates from the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the North-East have declined to recognize Babachir Lawal as their party's leader for the region. This decision was made without consulting the candidates or other stakeholders involved in developing the party's structures and mobilizing support throughout the area. In a joint statement to the NDC's national leadership and its leader, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the six candidates stated their refusal to acknowledge Lawal in his new role.

They argued that political decisions impacting the region should consider the perspectives of grassroots activists, emphasizing that "politics is local." Lawal's appointment has raised concerns among the candidates, who believe it may negatively affect the party's performance in the six North-East states. They maintain that prior consultation with the governorship candidates would have helped the national leadership understand the political landscape and concerns across the region better.

The candidates called upon Dickson and other national leaders to reconsider the appointment and discuss the matter to maintain party unity and cohesion ahead of the 2027 elections. Despite acknowledging the NDC's efforts to provide a platform for political participation ahead of the 2027 elections, the candidates firmly stand by their objection to Lawal's appointment, stating, "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."