By Abiola Olawale
A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir David Lawal, has dropped a bombshell, revealing that several governors and influential figures within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are secretly backing a growing opposition coalition aimed at unseating President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections.
Speaking with the press, Lawal claimed that many top leaders are dissatisfied with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Lawal, who recently resigned from the APC also disclosed that the opposition coalition, now anchored by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is gaining traction among disenchanted APC members, including sitting governors.
He said that although these people have not spoken publicly, they believe in the coalition’s plan to remove the current government through popular elections in 2027.
He said: “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 further disclosed that he had been working against the APC from within for a long time because the party was full of intimidation and didn’t allow free speech.
He continued: “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.
“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.”
Lawal further maintained that the coalition is not led by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, explaining that it is a team effort by different political figures to unseat the ruling party.
“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 who 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. Ameachi understands, and Atiku too; we must have a coalition, get together, join forces, join ideas, and work to defeat this government.”
