A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation and National Vice Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, Babachir Lawal, has described the ruling All Progressives Congress as a new haven for fugitives fleeing from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

This was as a former governorship candidate of the Action Alliance in Kogi State, Otunba Olayinka Braimoh, who defected to the ADC on Saturday.

Speaking on Saturday during an ADC stakeholders’ meeting in Yola, Adamawa State, Lawal declared that both the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party would be defeated in the 2027 general elections.

“It is my belief that more patriots will soon join us even as the PDP self-destructs and the APC becomes a haven for EFCC fugitives,” he said.

He accused the APC of being “delusional,” claiming that its only mantra was to “write election results even before elections begin.”

“This is pure delusion because it will not happen. Nigerians will back us to frustrate any criminal manipulation of the 2027 election results,” he asserted.

Lawal, however, warned that not every politician defecting from other parties would be accepted into the ADC, “lest they corrupt our ideals with attitudes imbibed from their corrupt, undemocratic home parties.”

He described the ADC as “a party of visionaries and patriots who are fed up with the direction of the country under the leadership of PDP and APC.”

“Every patriotic Nigerian now understands that our country has reached the edge of a cliff. The ADC offers Nigerians an opportunity to make a U-turn, recalibrate, and redirect our governance toward a progressive, people-centric system,” Lawal stated.

The former SGF took a swipe at the Adamawa State Government, saying that in over six years of Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s administration, there were “no people-oriented projects.”

“All we get from over six years of PDP governance is a couple of flyovers carrying scanty traffic despite billions of naira accruing to the state. Sometimes, I wonder whether the money leaves Abuja for Yola at all,” he said, adding that the state received N128.81bn between January and June 2025, “yet all we have to show are four flyovers and one underpass.”

Lawal expressed confidence that the ADC was ready to produce the next governor of Adamawa State, saying: “We have many in our party who can govern us — and govern us well.”

He urged party chieftains to mobilise citizens to register and collect their Permanent Voter Cards, noting that “the safety of the ADC is guaranteed only by having voter cards.”

The chairman of the ADC Transitional Committee, Dadiq Dasin, a former member of the House of Representatives, also expressed optimism that the ADC would win Adamawa State in the next election.

Although former Vice President Atiku Abubakar was absent, other prominent politicians such as former Governor Jibrilla Bindow, former Senator Abdulaziz Nyako, and Senator Ishaku Abbo were present at the meeting.

Meanwhile, in Kogi State, former AA governorship candidate, Braimoh, defected to the ADC on Saturday.

Speaking during the official ceremony held in Kabba, headquarters of Kabba-Bunu Local Government Area, Braimoh said his decision was driven by the desire to bring change to the leadership terrain of Kogi State.

“With the calibre of persons in this party, the ADC coalition is the platform under which I believe my vision of a new Kogi State can be actualised,” he said.

He called on the people of Kogi to join the “moving ADC train,” stressing that the state had suffered from poor leadership despite its immense human and material potential.

“Kogi State is below par in leadership performance, considering its potential and intellectual assets. It’s been a case of the worst leading the rest of us, while the best of us have not had the opportunity to lead,” Braimoh said.

He urged Nigerians to register with the Independent National Electoral Commission  and obtain their PVCs, noting that “the cries for a better Nigeria can only be made possible by citizens who are ready to take the bull by the horns.”

Kogi ADC Chairman, Kingsley Ogga, described Braimoh’s defection as “a timely and bold step,” saying the ADC coalition is united and determined to deliver credible leadership in the coming elections.

“The ADC has the sympathy of the people, and when Nigerians give us power, they will see what we can do for the good of all,” Ogga stated.

Braimoh was later presented with his ADC membership card to symbolise his official defection to the party.

As the Peoples Democratic Party prepares for its forthcoming national convention slated for November in Ibadan, Oyo State, members of the party’s National Executive Committee have outlined their expectations for the next national chairman.

The leaders emphasised the need for inclusive leadership, internal reconciliation, and renewed commitment to party unity ahead of the 2027 general election.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, PDP National Executive Committee members and former national secretary, Ibrahim Tsauri, and Deputy National Youth Leader, Timothy Osadolor, expressed confidence that the incoming national chairman and, by extension, the National Working Committee, will revitalise the party ahead of the next general election.

At its 102nd National Executive Committee meeting held on August 25 in Abuja, the PDP resolved to zone its 2027 presidential ticket to the South, while reserving the position of national chairman for the North.

Subsequently, northern leaders convened over the weekend and further micro-zoned the chairmanship slot to the North-West.

Last week, Northern PDP governors, led by Adamawa State Governor, Ahmadu Fintiri, alongside other party leaders, endorsed former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki (SAN), as the North’s consensus candidate for national chairman.

However, some northern stakeholders, reportedly supporting former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, and led by the party’s National Organising Secretary, Umar Bature, voiced their displeasure, claiming they were not consulted before the endorsement.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, is also said to be backing his ally and former Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, for the position.

Speaking on the expectations for the new NWC, the former national secretary of the party said that with the convention, PDP would usher in a new era of collective leadership.

He stated, “What we are advocating is collective and credible leadership made up of individuals with integrity, capacity, and genuine commitment to the ideals of the PDP.

“We are optimistic that the next national chairman and the NWC will embody these qualities and work selflessly to rebuild, reposition, and restore the party’s credibility ahead of future elections.

“We expect that under the leadership of the next national chairman, discipline will be fully enshrined within the party.

“The new leadership must promote party supremacy, ensure that the constitution of the party is strictly followed in all its activities, and guarantee a level playing field for all members, irrespective of status or affiliation.

“We are confident that such a leadership approach will foster unity, fairness, and renewed confidence among members. Many who left the party will return, while those still within will be further motivated to remain steadfast.”

Tsauri expressed optimism that the PDP would bounce back stronger as the only truly national political party with robust structures across the country.

“As founding members and loyal stakeholders, we remain committed to the vision and values of the PDP,” he said.

Osadolor, on his part, said the next national chairman and members of the NWC should learn from the experiences of past leadership to achieve success.

He stated, “I want the next national chairman to imbibe the spirit of listening, learning, and engaging all sides of the divide within the party.

“Because it is when you truly see, you can hear what everybody has to say and understand how they feel. It’s through engagement that you know what is really happening.

“Therefore, whoever will lead must not come with a personal mission. He or she must see this opportunity as a call to reposition the party for victory, unite all members, provide equal opportunities for everyone, and never seek to undermine anybody.

“The next PDP leaders must preach harmonisation and reconciliation and must be ready to sacrifice for the party and for Nigeria at large.”