Prominent politician and former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has announced that the National Political Consultative Group (North) has officially adopted the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 general elections.
Lawal, who also serves as Chairman of the NPCG (North) and a key figure within the ADC, made this disclosure on Saturday during a press conference following the group’s 3rd Expanded Meeting held at the Ladi Kwali Hall of the Abuja Continental Hotel.
According to Lawal, the decision reflects a broad consensus among Northern political leaders to rally behind a party that they believe will champion the region’s interests and provide a viable alternative to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“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,” Lawal explained.
“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.”
Lawal said the gathering focused on identifying and addressing the deep-rooted challenges facing the Northern region, ranging from insecurity to economic neglect, and on preparing a united political front for the future.
“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, 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,” he said.
Criticising the current administration, he stated:
“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.”
The decision comes in the wake of the July 1 public unveiling of the ADC as a coalition platform for several high-profile political figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, former APC presidential aspirant Rotimi Amaechi, and ex-Governor of Kaduna State Nasir El-Rufai.
As part of its restructuring, the party appointed former Senate President David Mark and former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola as interim National Chairman and Secretary, respectively.
Lawal said the bloc aims to actively spread its message and mobilize citizens, especially in Northern Nigeria, to form a strong and united voter base.
“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 resolve to enlighten our people and get needed support to tackle these challenges.”
He expressed confidence in the democratic values of the ADC, noting that internal processes such as congresses and conventions would be held to elect credible candidates.
“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, 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.”
Addressing concerns about electoral transparency, Lawal was optimistic that the 2027 elections would be credible.
“I don’t believe 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,” he assured.
He concluded with a message of determination and readiness to challenge the ruling party:
“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.”
