Babachir Lawal, the former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), has dismissed the recent endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term by the governors of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as irrelevant. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune on May 25, Lawal stated that the endorsement by the 22 APC governors, made public on May 22, held no significance. He argued that the opposition coalition, which he is a part of, is focused solely on appealing to Nigerian voters, not political officeholders.
The endorsement came as all APC governors declared their support for Tinubu as the party’s sole candidate for the 2027 presidential election. However, Lawal, a key figure in the opposition movement, downplayed the impact of this show of support. “Let the governors continue to defect; we don’t care,” he said. “If we wake up one morning and hear that all 36 state governors and the FCT are in APC, it won’t matter. They have only 37 votes, and maybe their families will add 1,000 more votes, but the voter is our target.”
Lawal emphasized that the coalition’s efforts are geared toward building a credible alternative to the ruling APC and that their strategy is to focus on the Nigerian electorate, particularly those who have suffered under the current administration. He added that the coalition operates with secrecy, ensuring that its plans remain undisclosed to avoid leaks. “We don’t take photographs. We don’t keep minutes. We make sure no information on our strategies leaks,” he stated.
Lawal also noted that despite it being planting season, he has remained in Abuja to show his dedication to the cause. “I must be an idiot if I leave my most important vocation to take coffee and snacks,” he said, further underscoring his commitment.
While reports suggest that the coalition is contemplating using the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform for the 2027 challenge, recent developments have added uncertainty. Peter Obi’s announcement on May 24, declaring his intention to run for president under the Labour Party, has raised questions about the coalition’s future course. However, Lawal remained confident, insisting that the coalition is focused and will reveal its strategy at the right time. “At the appropriate time, we will go public with what we are doing,” he said.
