Babachir Lawal, former secretary to the government of the federation (SGF), has joined the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), nearly four months after he quit the African Democratic Congress (ADC) on June 1.
Lawal announced his defection in Abuja on Tuesday after a meeting with the leadership of the NDC led by Seriake Dickson, national leader of the party.
He declared his support for the presidential bid of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the party, and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, his running mate.
Lawal said Nigerians concerned about challenges facing the country would have no choice but to support the NDC ticket.
“I have nothing much to say, except to say that anybody, anybody at all in Nigeria that has the interest of our country at large, has the sympathy for the suffering that is going on in our country, which include insecurity, economic deprivation, hunger, ignorance and disease, will have no choice but to join a party that presents Peter Obi and Kwankwaso as its presidential candidate and running mate,” the former SGF said.
While presenting Lawal with the party membership card, Dickson described him as a “great organiser and mobiliser”.
“He has seen it all. He has seen parties that are promising, parties that promise, and also parties that have failed to deliver change,” the party leader said.
“And parties that have taken our country from the top to the bottom. And now, they are even digging the ground to put the country.
“Sir, on behalf of this national working committee, our colleagues and teeming members of the Nigeria Democratic Party (NDC), Nigeria’s fastest-growing opposition party, and on behalf of the National Chairman and all the senior officers of our party, I welcome you to the NDC.”