2027 elections: Ex-SGF Lawal declares support for Obi-Kwankwaso ticket

Ahead of next year’s general elections, the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has begun the recruitment, screening and training of polling agents nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen its electoral machinery.

The party also assured its members and supporters that adequate structures were being put in place to protect its votes from the polling units through the collation process.

The National Secretary of the party disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja during an interactive session with journalists following the reception organised for former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Alhaji Abubakar Lawal, who formally joined the NDC.

According to him, the National Working Committee (NWC) had inaugurated a committee to coordinate the recruitment, screening, training and deployment of polling and ward agents across the country.

He said prospective agents were already being identified and their names collated for screening and training before deployment to polling units.

The National Secretary said the initiative was designed to ensure that the NDC had adequate representation across polling units and other stages of the electoral process, particularly during voting, counting and collation.

He said the party was drawing lessons from previous elections to improve the coordination and effectiveness of its grassroots structures ahead of 2027.

A member of the agent recruitment committee said the exercise would be carried out in collaboration with state and local government party structures as well as recognised support groups to ensure broad coverage of polling units nationwide.

The NDC also clarified the role of support groups backing its presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, and vice-presidential candidate, Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.

The party described the Obidient Movement and other support organisations as important partners in grassroots mobilisation and voter engagement, but stressed that they must operate within the framework of the party and the mandates assigned to them.

Party officials said support groups were expected to complement the activities of the party and its candidates by mobilising voters, promoting the candidates and strengthening grassroots outreach.

They stressed that such groups could not assume the constitutional and organisational responsibilities of the political party.

The party, however, assured genuine support groups that they would be accommodated within its broader campaign structure through its existing mechanism for coordinating support organisations nationwide.

On the defection of Lawal, the former SGF said he had ended his political retirement because of his concerns about the state of the nation.

Lawal said insecurity, poverty and economic hardship compelled him to return to active politics and support what he described as an alternative political direction for the country.

He declared his support for the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket, citing their previous experience in public office and records in governance.

The former SGF urged Nigerians to participate actively in the democratic process and support efforts aimed at addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges.

Meanwhile, the NDC responded to questions about its performance in recent by-elections, saying its strategic focus was on building nationwide structures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party maintained that its organisational strength would become more apparent when formal campaigns commence, while expressing confidence in the ability of its presidential ticket to attract support from different sections of the country.

The party also condemned reported cases of violence and intimidation against opposition parties in some parts of the country.

It called on security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible for political violence, warning that unchecked intimidation could undermine confidence in the electoral process.

The NDC urged its members and supporters to remain vigilant during voting and collation, while reaffirming its commitment to peaceful political engagement and democratic participation ahead of the 2027 elections.