2027 Elections: Babachir Lawal Declares Northern Governors Will Not Secure Re-election Unless They Dump APC for ADC

 

As Nigeria’s 2027 general elections draw closer, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has sounded a strong political alarm that could reshape the northern landscape. During a revealing interview aired on Trust TV, Lawal declared that most northern governors may find themselves unelectable unless they abandon the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and align with the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Babachir Lawal, once a prominent figure in the APC, expressed sharp criticism of the party’s governance and direction. He claimed that the APC, which currently holds power at the federal level, has not only underperformed but has also marginalised northern Nigeria. According to him, the growing dissatisfaction among northern constituents leaves elected officials with very limited political choices.

He posed a rhetorical question during the interview, challenging the feasibility of contesting under the APC in the current political climate. “Which northern elected official will go to campaign on the platform of the APC this coming election? Nobody,” he stated emphatically. “Unless ab initio, you have no plan to win the election. I can’t see anywhere.”

The former SGF insists that the only path to survival for many northern politicians lies in defecting to the ADC. He explained that the party has become a haven for those disillusioned with the APC’s performance and image. “Unless they join the ADC, they will not win… simply because they belong to a destructive party. A party that woefully failed to perform,” Lawal warned.

He disclosed that ADC leaders have already initiated discussions with several northern governors. These conversations, according to him, are aimed at consolidating a formidable opposition capable of challenging the ruling party’s dominance in the North.

A key part of Lawal’s argument centered around what he describes as deliberate neglect of the North by the Tinubu administration. Echoing earlier criticisms by former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, he highlighted the visible lack of federal projects across northern states. The absence of infrastructure development, he said, is not only noticeable but alarming.

“Every Nigerian that has anything to do with the North will know that no infrastructure work is going on at any level,” he said. “No projects are going on – at least they are not visible to the eye. Maybe in their imagination, maybe in the spirit – but we don’t see it.”

Lawal emphasised that the lack of federal presence in northern Nigeria could not be explained away. From roads and rail to healthcare and education infrastructure, the North has received little attention, he argued. This, he believes, makes campaigning under the APC’s banner a politically suicidal move.

He pointed out that his observations are not just political noise, but stem from a technical background that makes him and like-minded leaders, such as Kwankwaso, highly sensitive to issues of development. Both men, known for their technocratic approaches, share concerns over how current federal policies and spending patterns are shaping regional disparities.

Kwankwaso had earlier blasted the federal government for what he called a lopsided concentration of resources in the South. According to him, the northern region continues to lag behind due to poor investment from the central government. Lawal’s remarks are seen as a direct endorsement of that view, reinforcing the perception that the North is being shortchanged under President Tinubu’s leadership.

The shifting political sands in the North suggest that the 2027 elections may usher in a dramatic realignment. While the APC still enjoys some level of support in various quarters, many observers agree that dissatisfaction has reached a boiling point. Lawal’s comments indicate that internal cracks within the ruling party could soon turn into deep fractures.

His open endorsement of the ADC as a viable alternative signals more than just discontent. It points to an evolving coalition of technocrats, disgruntled leaders, and opposition forces aiming to dethrone the APC from its stronghold in the North.

Whether or not these projections materialise will depend on how both the ruling and opposition parties strategise and respond to the mounting tensions. For now, Babachir Lawal’s stark warning is being viewed as both a political prophecy and a call to action for those who wish to remain relevant in the next electoral cycle.