Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has declared that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) will rally behind whomever emerges as its presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 general election.
Speaking to journalists after the third expanded session of the National Political Consultative Group (North) at the Abuja Continental Hotel, Lawal said the party remains committed to democratic principles in selecting its standard bearer.
“The ADC as a political party is a party that is founded on democratic principles. We are going to conduct congresses and conventions to elect our representatives at the election,” he said.
“And whoever emerges, be it North, South, Central, 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.”
The remark comes amid the growing momentum behind the opposition coalition led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, which recently adopted the ADC as its political platform to challenge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the upcoming election.
Notable figures, including Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi (former Labour Party presidential candidate), Rotimi Amaechi (former Rivers governor), and Nasir El-Rufai (former Kaduna governor), have all shown interest in the ADC ticket.
When asked about the credibility of the electoral process and whether votes would truly matter in 2027, Lawal was emphatic:
“No one 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. ADC is a party of Nigerians. ADC is one. Whatever techniques, whatever malicious activity they throw at us, we’ll counter it effectively. We will counter and defeat them at it.”
He noted that the session was convened to reflect on and respond to the security and development challenges confronting Northern Nigeria, and to deliberate on how best to prepare for the future.
According to Lawal, the current administration lacks the political will to address these concerns.
“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 peace, be it security. So we have to take the ball in our hands and work towards achieving solutions to our problems.”
