2027: APC Govs, Chieftains Secretly Supporting Opposition — Babachir Lawal
Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, has alleged that some governors and senior members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are quietly supporting the opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Beyond the Headlines, a programme aired on TVC News on Tuesday, Lawal said these individuals, though publicly silent, are sympathetic to the coalition’s mission to unseat the current government.
“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,” he revealed.
Lawal, who resigned from the APC on June 29, noted that he had been working against the party from within for some time, citing suppression of dissent and lack of internal democracy.
“We’re in a democracy; even if you’re in a political party, you can choose to support a better candidate in another political party. I’m learning a template from APC: this template of remaining in one party and working for another.
“This is a script APC developed, which Wike has enhanced and grown beyond imagination. Wike is our leader in this type of politics,” he said.
He described the APC as a party lacking unity and where offering advice is considered anti-party behaviour.
“The APC has never been united; it’s been a party that has been intimidated and bullied into silence. No internal cohesion; you cannot even advise. Even advice is taken as anti-party. So, many people got frustrated that you cannot talk truth to power in APC.”
According to him, many of President Bola Tinubu’s former supporters are now disillusioned and seeking better leadership.
“A lot of us are people whose primary aim is to replace this government with a better government that serves Nigerians better.
“So, there’s nothing wrong if people who were hitherto in APC, allies of Tinubu, have been disappointed in the way he has chosen to run his government or allow others to run his government. There’s nothing wrong if we decide to come together to make a change,” he said.
Lawal mocked the increasing number of politicians joining the APC, describing their actions as self-serving.
“It’s true the governors are decamping. Why are they decamping to the APC? Because they know the president has given himself an automatic ticket, there will be no primaries, and no other candidate will be allowed to raise their head.
“Most of the governors understand that this government is a government that wrote results to become what they are. So, they can write you out even in your own convention in an opposition party.
“So, all these governors are moving to APC to secure their next elections. However, the governors are moving, but nobody is moving with them; the people are not.”
He stressed that the opposition coalition is not led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, noting that it is a collective effort by various political stakeholders.
“The coalition is not about Atiku. I’ve attended meetings tilted towards Obi, Atiku, and Amaechi. Atiku has never spoken in all our meetings, except the last meeting, where he was asked to speak.
“Before we started the coalition, we told everybody that has political ambition to lock it down in a cupboard because the understanding is that no one person can defeat an incumbent government.
“Peter Obi understands that with his Obedient movement, he cannot win this election on a standalone basis. Amaechi understands, and Atiku too; we must have a coalition, get together, join forces, join ideas, and work to defeat this government.”
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
