By our reporter
Another chieftain of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has quit the party,sparking fears of a possible implosion within the party.
This time, former Secretary to Government of the Federation (SGF) under the Muhammadu Buhari era, David Babachir Lawal, turned his back on APC.
He joined a growing list of powerful voices within the party who have left the ruling party.
Recall that former two-term governor of Kaduna State,Malam Nasir El-Rufai; former Osun State governor and President Bola Tinubu’s estranged key South-West ally, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola; former National Vice Chairman, North-West, Salihu Lukman; and several others, including political appointees, have exited the party.
While most of these personalities have berthed in new political shores, teaming up with powerful opposition heavyweights such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Labour Party presidential flagbearer in 2023, Peter Obi and others, to stop President Bola Tinubu from returning to Aso Villa in 2027, Lawal, however,said he is yet to align himself with any party.
In a letter to the Chairman of Bangshika Ward of Hong Local Government Area of Adamawa State,where he hails from, Lawal gave no reason for his decision to quit.
It is public knowledge that he has been at dagger’s drawn with Tinubu for years now over the latter’s decision to go for the Muslim- Muslim ticket ahead the 2023 presidential election.
Lawal, a Christian, believed the decision was insensitive to the needs and situation of millions of Christians who reside in both the Middle Belt and far North.
However, the Tinubu camp pushed back at the claim, alleging that Lawal was merely bellyaching because he was not picked to be Tinubu’s running mate.
The ex-SGF’s resignation letter read: “My Chairman Sir, I write to formally notify you of my resignation from the All Progressives Congress APC.
“In due course, I will make public my current political affiliations where I plan to join other compatriots to work towards making Nigeria, a better living place for all citizens.
“This resignation takes immediate effect. Please, remain blessed and extend my warm regards to other members of your party.”
There appears to be growing resentment in the North to the policies of the Tinubu administration with rising political restiveness and strong criticism of his administration from some powerful leaders in the region even as the president engages in deft political engineering to keep afloat his popularity in the area.
For instance, North-West, North-Central and North-East APC leaders recently endorsed him for a second term.
It is speculated that Lawal may join Atiku, Obi, and others in African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
