Babachir Lawal: APC Governors, Chieftains secretly supporting opposition coalition ahead of 2027
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has disclosed that several governors and senior members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are quietly aligning with the opposition coalition in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
Lawal made the revelation during an appearance on Beyond the Headlines, a programme aired on TVC News on Tuesday. He said that although many of these APC figures have not publicly declared their support, they share the coalition’s objective of removing the current administration.
“Yes, there are [APC members working with the coalition], and they will speak for themselves. Some might not be brave or bold enough to do it the way I have, but there are very many—some tell me, including some governors,” Lawal stated.
The former SGF, who officially resigned from the APC on June 29, said he had long distanced himself from the party’s ideology, describing it as a party that suppresses dissent and thrives on intimidation.
“The APC has never been united; it’s a party that bullies its members into silence. You can’t even give advice without being labelled anti-party. So, many of us got frustrated that you cannot talk truth to power within the APC,” he said.
Lawal accused the party of adopting political tactics that encouraged internal sabotage, referencing the controversial role of Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike.
“I’m learning the APC template—this practice of staying in one party and working for another. This is a script the APC created, and Wike has taken it to another level. He is now the leader in this style of politics,” Lawal added.
On President Bola Tinubu’s administration, Lawal said many of the president’s former allies have become disillusioned and are now seeking better political alternatives.
“A lot of us are committed to replacing this government with one that truly serves Nigerians. If you want to make meaningful change, you must engage through politics and governance. That means replacing a non-performing party,” he said.
He also dismissed the wave of defections into the APC as politically motivated maneuvers by desperate politicians seeking protection under the ruling party.
“It’s true that governors are decamping, but they’re doing it to protect their political futures. They know the president has cornered the APC ticket and that there will be no primaries. But while governors are moving, the people are not,” he said.
Coalition Not About Atiku, Says Lawal
Clarifying the aim of the opposition coalition, Lawal rejected claims that it was a project solely driven by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“The coalition is not about Atiku. I’ve attended meetings focused on Obi, Atiku, and Amaechi. Atiku rarely speaks at these meetings,” he said.
He explained that the coalition was built on a shared understanding among opposition leaders that no single individual can defeat an incumbent government alone.
“Before we started the coalition, we agreed that anyone with political ambitions should keep them aside. Peter Obi knows he can’t win alone with his Obidient movement. Amaechi knows it, and so does Atiku. We need to work together, align our strategies and ideas, and challenge the government collectively,” Lawal emphasized.
