Babachir Lawal, a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has stated that the National Political Consultative Group (North) has selected the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their chosen opposition platform to fight the ruling All Progressives Congress in the 2027 elections.
Lawal, an ADC leader, stated this to the press on Saturday after the 3rd Expanded Meeting of the National Political Consultative Group (North) at the Abuja Continental Hotel’s Ladi Kwali Hall (formerly Sheraton).
Lawal, Chairman of the NPCG (North), stated that Northerners are committed to electing a leader who will look out for their interests.
The NPCG (North), which last met on May 26, seeks to foster unity among Northern political leaders and strengthen collaboration so that they can function as a cohesive interest group, ideally within a single political party.
On July 1, key opposition political heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, APC’s 2023 presidential candidate Rotimi Amaechi, and former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai formed the ADC as a unified opposition platform to face Tinubu in 2027.
Although former Senate President David Mark and former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola were appointed as the party’s interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively, and a few Nigerians have since joined the party, ADC leaders continue to work to secure support in the North and other regions.
The former SGF stated that representatives from all 19 Northern states agreed that President Tinubu’s administration is not committed to addressing the region’s concerns.
Lawal stated, “Well, the truth of the matter is that we started out as what we call a Consultative Forum for Northern politicians, but as the momentum was going on, it appears that the whole of the North has decided that they will join ADC.
“So now the distinction between what the National Political Consultative Group is and the ADC has blurred. So our people have encouraged us, have directed us, and have mandated us to organise ourselves in the manner that we deliver whatever we want through the ADC.
“It’s a meeting of Northerners, specifically to discuss as a family the problems of the devil in the North and how to look for solutions to it, how to prepare for the oncoming future, and to see to the fact that our interests—we elect only somebody who has the interests of the North at heart and who will address the challenges facing the North.
“Because as it is, we are of the opinion that this government has no interest in solving problems confronting the North—be it infrastructure, be it economy, be it security. So we have to take the ball in our hands and work towards achieving solutions to our problems.”
He mentioned that Northern stakeholders agreed to mobilise and spread their message to unite the people and adopt a common position for the next election.
Former SGF continued, “There’s insecurity, there’s economic deprivation, there’s marginalisation, there’s everything that is designed to humble us, designed to disintegrate us, designed to underdevelop us. But, we have resolved to enlighten our people and get needed support to tackle these challenges.
“The ADC as a political party is a party that is founded on democratic principles. And it is our party. We are going to go to conduct congresses and conventions to elect our representatives at the election.
“And whoever emerges—be it North, South, Central, or West—whoever emerges at either the congresses or at the convention, ADC will support it, and the Northern Political Consultative Group will support that decision.
Speaking on whether votes will count in 2027 or not, Lawal said, “I don’t believe anyone in ADC leadership or rank and file believes that votes do not count. Votes do count. And we are going to make sure that votes do count. This election, votes will count.
“I tell you, forget about this fear that votes will not count. APC is a party of Nigerians. ADC is one. Whatever techniques, whatever malicious activity they throw at us, we’ll counter it effectively. And we’ll counter and defeat them at it.”
