Wafric News – May 14, 2025

In a blunt political takedown, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and staunch CPC stalwart Babachir Lawal has confirmed that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has been completely ruled out of any planned coalition ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Speaking exclusively, Lawal declared that the PDP is considered “an incurable virus” by key political players working toward building a new political front. “I’ve attended almost all the coalition meetings,” he said. “No one has ever mentioned PDP as an option.”

This revelation casts serious doubt on Atiku Abubakar’s role within the PDP, even as Lawal insisted the former Vice President is “more committed than anyone else” to the coalition talks.

With PDP governors publicly distancing themselves from any merger plans, Lawal dismissed their stance as political posturing. “They’re just humouring themselves. PDP cannot be repaired. That party is broken beyond redemption,” he said.

Instead, the coalition is considering either forming a brand-new party or merging into an existing structure — but not PDP. “We’ve assessed the terrain. We’re focused on parties with constitutions that can accommodate mass entry and integration,” he explained.

Pressed on whether Atiku's engagement was driven by his 2027 ambition, Lawal didn’t flinch. “Even if it is, so what? He has the right. But the focus now is to build a party first — ambition comes later,” he insisted. “Nobody is demanding to be the candidate at this point. We’ll get to that stage through congresses and conventions.”

Lawal, who has remained technically within APC but politically distant, said the conversation is bigger than personalities. “We must unite under one platform to challenge the system that is failing millions.”

When asked about viable parties, Lawal listed the Social Democratic Party (SDP) and Labour Party (LP) as potential homes for the movement. “We’ve not settled on one. If Labour offers the right conditions, we’ll go there. If it’s SDP, fine. But PDP? No chance.”

He added that SDP’s legacy and legal structure made it one of the more appealing platforms under review.

As a key figure in the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) legacy bloc, Lawal didn’t hold back his frustration with President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He accused the APC government of abandoning the grassroots ideology that defined the CPC movement — sacrifice, social justice, and defending the “Talakawa”.

“This government despises the poor. They see poverty and turn their noses. But we — the real CPC — were built on fighting for the voiceless,” he said.

Lawal also accused the Tinubu-led administration of systematically marginalising the North. “The North is now a refugee zone — no food, no schools, no farms. We must rise to change this injustice.”

While downplaying personal animosity, Lawal admitted he has drifted far from Tinubu politically. “I don’t hate him. We’re just heading in different directions now. He’s southwest; I’m northeast.”

He lashed out at what he called Yoruba domination in the current administration. “Everything points to ethnic capture — Finance, FIRS, CBN. Even if they don’t write memos in Yoruba, it’s only a matter of time.”

Lawal tore into APC Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje, calling his leadership of the party a national embarrassment. “His only job is to queue behind Tinubu at airports. He should’ve retired into missionary work and sought forgiveness for his sins in office,” he said bluntly.

On former President Muhammadu Buhari, Lawal clarified that while many in the CPC bloc still revere him, he is not part of the current movement. “We don’t need his blessing. He’s part of the system we are rejecting. But out of respect, we inform him.”

Despite backing Peter Obi in 2023 and leading a coalition effort, Lawal hasn’t formally left APC. “They don’t invite me to meetings, and I don’t care. If they expel me, I’ll wear it like a badge of honour.”

Lawal also dismissed Vice President Kashim Shettima’s relevance in the current government. “He’s a flat spare tyre. I’ve only seen him at weddings and condolence visits. Nothing else.”

Lawal closed by insisting his motives are not about power or money. “I own over 4,000 hectares of land. I’ve never gone to bed hungry. I am not looking for a chair in Abuja to give me a backache. I want justice for the ordinary Nigerian.”

Wafric News will continue to track developments as Nigeria’s 2027 political map begins to redraw itself — with or without the PDP.



By Wafric News Political Desk.