Former SGF Babachir Lawal Dumps APC
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has formally resigned from the governing All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major political event ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The declaration was made via a resignation letter dated June 29, 2025, sent to the Chairman of the APC in Bangshika Ward, Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State, which Lawal personally signed and filed on Monday, July 7, 2025.
In the letter, Lawal officially alerted the party of his immediate resignation, stating: “I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC). This resignation has immediate effect.” He did not offer precise reasons for his resignation but hinted at future political activity, vowing to declare his new political allegiance in due time. “I plan to join compatriots to work towards making Nigeria a better living place for all citizens,” he said, offering his wishes to APC members in his ward.
Babachir Lawal’s withdrawal from the APC comes amid mounting tensions and worries of collapse inside the governing party, especially in the Northern region of Nigeria. His departure adds to mounting worries about internal party divides and the issues President Bola Tinubu’s government confronts in maintaining cohesiveness ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lawal, who served as SGF under former President Muhammadu Buhari during his first term, has been a notable political figure both in Adamawa State and nationwide. Since leaving the federal cabinet, he has remained a vocal commentator on national problems and a significant actor in new political alliances seeking alternatives to the APC.
Reports claim that Lawal is associated with a political alliance formed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, and former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi. This group has selected the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as its platform to confront the APC and President Tinubu in the 2018 elections. Lawal has revealed that he and other former APC members are joining this alliance, which intends to present Nigerians with a true alternative.
In interviews, Lawal ruled out the development of a new political party, noting that the alliance preferred to join an existing party owing to time restrictions and the complexity required in establishing and sustaining a new organization before the 2027 campaigns. He also separated the coalition from breakaway groups seeking to float alternative parties, highlighting the alliance’s emphasis on pragmatic and sustainable political initiatives.
Lawal’s resignation letter and subsequent political movements mirror wider trends in Nigeria’s political scene, where changing alliances and realignments are becoming more regular as the 2027 general elections near. His resignation from the APC illustrates the issues confronting the governing party, notably in controlling internal dissent and preserving unity among its members.
The former SGF’s action is considered by many experts as a strategic repositioning that might impact political calculations in Adamawa State and beyond. His cooperation with the ADC-backed alliance signifies a possible change in the balance of power, especially in northern Nigeria, where APC’s supremacy has been increasingly questioned.
As of currently, Babachir Lawal has not publicly revealed his new party affiliation, but signs strongly imply his alignment with the ADC-led coalition. His political future and the effect of his departure on the APC remain major issues of interest for observers and players in Nigeria’s developing political environment.
Babachir Lawal’s departure from the APC is a major event that demonstrates the rising fracture within Nigeria’s governing party and the creation of new political coalitions aimed at redefining the country’s political destiny ahead of the 2027 elections. His action illustrates the flexibility of political loyalties in Nigeria and the continuous fight for power among the nation’s main political figures.