By Dr. Preye Tamuno-Briggs
The rejection of Babachir Lawal’s appointment as North-East leader of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) by six of the party’s governorship candidates serves as a stark warning to political leaders: decisions made without broad consultation deepen divisions rather than build strength.
The six candidates maintain that they, along with other key stakeholders who built the party’s regional framework, were completely sidelined. Describing their decision to reject Lawal as “collective, firm, and final,” they have called on the national leadership to urgently review the appointment.
This challenge is not a reflection on Lawal’s political experience. Political parties naturally benefit from seasoned figures who can widen their reach. However, high-profile prominence does not automatically confer local legitimacy. The grassroots organizers who build party structures, mobilize voters, and run campaigns must have a voice in decisions that affect their regions. Consultation is not an optional courtesy extended by party headquarters; it is an essential requirement of effective political leadership.
This dispute also echoes past divisions within the African Democratic Congress (ADC) during Lawal’s tenure as its North-East vice-chairman. In Adamawa, the party fractured into rival factions, one led by Lawal himself. Opponents challenged congresses organized by his camp, accusing leadership of imposing candidates and disregarding court orders. While those claims were contested, the resulting rift was unmistakable, culminating in two rival factions announcing their departure from the party.
Delta State has faced similar turmoil over parallel party structures and candidate selection. In April, party stakeholders publicly warned of attempts to submit an unauthorized executive list to national headquarters. By May, rival ADC factions held separate governorship primaries, producing competing candidates. Reports also surfaced alleging Lawal’s involvement in efforts to set up parallel leadership structures across several states, including Delta.
The wider lesson of this controversy extends far beyond any single politician. When party leadership bypasses local consultation, disputes over authority quickly harden into factional contests. These internal battles divert attention from voters, undermine campaign operations, and give opponents an easy advantage. A political party cannot credibly promise democratic renewal to the public while neglecting democratic principles within its own ranks.
The NDC leadership still has an opportunity to prevent this dispute from escalating into a permanent split. It must bring the candidates and regional stakeholders together, hear their concerns, explain the rationale behind the appointment, and find a resolution that balances national coordination with local representation. Listening to its base would only make the party’s central authority more credible.
Unity cannot simply be declared by decree. It must be built through transparent decision-making, fair processes, and respect for those doing the work on the ground. Parties preparing for the 2027 elections should take note: while appointments may originate at the center, political power is won at the grassroots.
Dr. Preye Tamuno-Briggs African Heritage Magazine Diaspora Political Commentator, London Email: info@hibceurope.com
