2027: I dragged Peter Obi, convinced Kwankwaso to join ADC – Babachir Lawal

Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has claimed that he personally persuaded former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Speaking during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Monday, September 28, Babachir Lawal stated that he was also instrumental in convincing former Kano State Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso to join the political platform.

He noted that he was among the founding leaders of the ADC coalition formed on July 2, 2025, which produced former Senate President David Mark as its National Chairman.

The former SGF said: “I attended every meeting of the ADC, and at one time, Peter Obi was playing in and out. I was the one who finally dragged Peter into the ADC and committed him to joining the ADC.” “We also convinced Kwankwaso to join the ADC, but he was always afraid that with Atiku Abubakar there, nothing good would ever come out of the ADC,” he added.

Babachir Lawal, an Adamawa State-born politician and former close ally of Atiku Abubakar, subsequently parted ways with the ADC following its presidential primary election. He had alleged that the primary process that produced Atiku Abubakar as the ADC’s presidential candidate was heavily compromised.

Babachir Lawal recently defected to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) to declare support for the joint presidential ticket of Peter Obi and Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso ahead of the 2027 general elections.