Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has issued a bold warning ahead of the 2027 general elections: northern political officeholders, including sitting governors, may not be re-elected unless they abandon the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and align with the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Speaking during a televised interview aired by Trust TV, Lawal accused the APC of failing the North and deliberately marginalising the region since assumiing power. According to him, northern politicians will face a hostile electorate unless they disassociate from a party he described as destructive and ineffective.
Which northern elected official will go to campaign under APC in 2027? Nobody. Unless ab initio, you have no plan to win an election, Lawal said bluntly. They [governors] will not win unless they join the ADC.
Lawal, a former APC chieftain and influential figure in northern politics, claimed that the ADC had already opened discussions with some sitting governors who are disillusioned with the APC’s leadership and performance. He suggested that these talks may lead to significant defections in the run-up to the 2027 polls.
Lawal echoed the sentiments of Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State and presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), who had earlier accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of turning a blind eye to northern development.
Every Nigerian connected to the North can see that nothing is happening no projects, no roads, no schools, no hospitals. At least nothing that is visible to the eye,” Lawal said.
He further alleged that the federal government has failed to initiate or complete any substantial infrastructure project in the region since Tinubu took office. According to him, even previously funded projects have stalled, while new investments are either non-existent or restricted to paper.
Perhaps the projects exist in spirit or on paper. But physically, we don’t see any federal government project ongoing in the North,” he stressed.
Babachir Lawal was a key ally of President Muhammadu Buhari and once a central figure in the APC. However, his tone has shifted drastically since the end of Buhari’s administration.
His growing criticisms reflect broader dissatisfaction within the northern political establishment, particularly among those who feel the North has been sidelined by the Tinubu-led government.
Analysts believe Lawal’s vocal stance could trigger realignments, especially if more northern governors or federal lawmakers lose faith in the APC’s ability to retain power in the region. The ADC, which currently lacks a strong national footprint, may benefit significantly from such high-profile defections.
Lawal’s remarks are expected to spark political tension within the APC, especially in the North where the party has historically enjoyed strong support. If his predictions materialize, the ruling party could face a major collapse in its northern strongholds jeopardizing its national dominance and control of both the presidency and the National Assembly.
Political observers note that the message from Lawal is not just about party politics it reflects a growing regional frustration over governance failures, inequality in project distribution, and what many see as a betrayal of northern interests.
With the 2027 elections still two years away, Lawal’s comments could mark the beginning of a broader political shift. If the current administration does not address the grievances raised particularly regarding infrastructure and inclusion the North could become a hotbed of opposition activity, with parties like the ADC and NNPP poised to take advantage.
The big question remains: Will the APC respond with reforms and investment—or will it lose its northern base to rising opposition forces?
