THE Former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, has revealed that several governors and senior members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are quietly supporting the opposition’s efforts to unseat the current administration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Lawal revealed this during an interview noting that although many of these APC members have not come out publicly, they are sympathetic to the coalition’s agenda to bring change.
“Yes, there are APC members who are working with the coalition. Some are not bold enough to go public, but many — including governors — have confided in me,” he said.
Lawal officially resigned from the APC on June 29, citing suppression of free speech and internal intimidation within the party.
According to him, the APC has long lacked internal democracy, with members discouraged from voicing dissent.
“This is democracy. Even if you belong to a party, you have the right to support a better candidate elsewhere. The APC itself created this playbook — staying in one party while working for another — a model which Wike has perfected,” he added.
He criticized the ruling party for lacking cohesion and silencing internal feedback. “You can’t even offer advice in APC without being labeled anti-party. Many are now frustrated and disillusioned.”
Speaking further, Lawal stated that many former Tinubu allies are now disenchanted with his leadership style and the direction of his administration. He emphasized that seeking a better government is the core objective of the coalition.
“There’s nothing wrong with former APC members and Tinubu allies deciding to work together for a better Nigeria. The aim is to replace a non-performing government through policies, governance, and leadership,” he noted.
He also mocked recent defections to the APC, stating that such moves were politically motivated.
“These governors are joining APC not out of loyalty, but to secure their political futures. They know the president has positioned himself for an automatic second term, eliminating any chance of primaries,” he said. “But while governors are decamping, they’re not taking the people with them.”
On the nature of the opposition coalition, Lawal stressed that it is not centered around any single figure such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
“I’ve attended meetings where the focus shifted between Atiku, Obi, and Amaechi. Atiku only recently spoke during one session. From the beginning, we agreed that personal ambition should be set aside. No one can defeat the incumbent alone,” he stated.
According to Lawal, the coalition recognizes that unity is essential to challenge the ruling party successfully. He said Peter Obi, Rotimi Amaechi, and Atiku Abubakar all understand the need to combine forces and strategies.