By Ayo Kehinde
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move his aides describe as aimed at fostering unity, stability, and stronger collaboration with the federal government.
The announcement was made on Monday by Deputy Governor Mani Malam Mummuni during a meeting with political stakeholders at the Government House in Gusau, the state capital. Mummuni stated that the defection reflects the governor’s extensive consultations with party leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.
In a statement released by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, the decision was attributed to persistent challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels.
“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and sustainable development of Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has decided to formally defect to the APC,” the statement read.
Anka highlighted that the move was necessary due to prolonged internal crises, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural issues within the PDP, which had created uncertainty that could impede governance and delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State.
He added that the final decision followed a deliberation at the Government House involving senior government officials and key political stakeholders, coordinated by the Deputy Governor.
The statement also emphasised that Governor Lawal remains committed to addressing security challenges and accelerating development in the North-Western state.
“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, and ensuring Zamfara State benefits fully from closer collaboration with the Federal Government,” Anka said, while expressing appreciation to PDP members for their support over the years.
Governor Lawal’s defection comes shortly after a legal setback for the PDP. On Monday, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal by the Aminu Turaki-led faction against an October 31, 2025 judgment of Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The ruling had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15–16, 2025.
A three-member appellate panel, chaired by Justice Mohammed Ambi-Usi Danjuma and comprising Justices Okechukwu Onyemenam and Muhammed Mustapha, unanimously resolved that the appeal lacked merit. Governor Lawal had earlier indicated he would await this judgment before determining his political future.
The defection also aligns with a broader trend of PDP governors joining the APC in recent months, including Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Duoye Diri (Bayelsa), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa).
Earlier, the APC National Working Committee (NWC) had postponed ward, local government, and state congresses in Zamfara State to allow Governor Lawal to complete his defection and assume leadership of the party structure in the state before the congresses proceed.
With this development, Governor Lawal positions himself at the forefront of Zamfara politics under the APC, promising closer alignment with federal initiatives on governance, security, and development.
