Six governorship candidates of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) have faulted the appointment of former SGF, Engr. Babachir Lawal, as the party’s North-East leader, citing lack of consultation.
The candidates over weekend in Bauchi said the appointment was made without seeking their views or those of other key stakeholders who had been involved in establishing the party’s structures and mobilising supporters across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba and Yobe states.
In a joint statement addressed to the national leadership of the party, including Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, the candidates said they would not recognise Lawal as the party’s leader in the region.
They maintained that the political realities of the North-East required broader consultation with stakeholders operating at the grassroots.
“Politics is local,” the candidates stated, stressing that consultation with governorship candidates would have enabled the national leadership to better appreciate the political dynamics and concerns in the six states.
They further argued that the appointment could affect the party’s electoral prospects in the region, insisting that they did not believe it would add electoral value ahead of the 2027 elections.
The candidates consequently appealed to the national leadership to reconsider the appointment and open discussions with them to strengthen unity and cohesion within the party.
The statement was signed by Aishatu Dahiru Ahamed, Adamawa; Barr. Ibrahim Muhammad Kashim, Bauchi; Real Admiral S. Kashim Ibrahim (Rtd), Borno; Dr. Babayo Ardo, Gombe; Prof. Mohammed Sani, Taraba; and Ibrahim M. Shitu, Yobe.
They nevertheless acknowledged the national leadership’s efforts in creating a platform for political participation ahead of the 2027 elections.
