NDC guber candidate reject Babachir Lawal as North-East leader

The Democratic Congress (NDC) has appointed former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, as their leader in the North-East region. However, this decision has sparked a backlash from six NDC governorship candidates in the area, who have collectively rejected Lawal's appointment. In a joint statement to party leadership, the candidates declared that they would not recognize Lawal as the NDC leader in the North-East, describing their choice as "collective, firm and final."

The candidates argued that Lawal's appointment was made without consulting them or other key stakeholders, many of whom have played pivotal roles in building the party's structures and mobilizing support across their respective states. They emphasized that politics is local, urging the national leadership to consider the views of those directly involved in the party's activities and electoral mobilization in the region.

The candidates also expressed concerns that Lawal's appointment could negatively impact the party's electoral prospects in the North-East, arguing that his selection would not add electoral value to the party in the area. The statement highlighted the need for consultations with governorship candidates before any appointment, stating that this would have helped the national leadership better understand the political realities and concerns in the six states.

The candidates appealed to the national leadership to review the appointment and engage the affected governorship candidates to maintain party unity, cohesion, and strengthen the NDC ahead of the 2027 elections.