Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the prolonged internal crisis and legal disputes within the opposition party as the primary reason for his decision.
The governor’s defection was announced on Monday by the Deputy Governor, Mani Mummuni, after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, described the move as a strategic decision taken in the best interest of the state following weeks of consultations with political stakeholders.
According to the statement, Lawal’s decision to join the ruling APC came after extensive discussions with key political figures across the state amid lingering legal battles affecting the PDP.
“Yesterday (Monday), Governor Dauda Lawal officially decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, a decision reached and endorsed by all relevant stakeholders in Zamfara State,” the statement read.
Idris said the governor had initially remained loyal to the PDP and made efforts to reconcile the party’s warring factions before eventually deciding to leave.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party.
“He has worked diligently to facilitate reconciliation among the party’s factions, ensuring the party remains united and capable of presenting candidates for upcoming elections,” Idris said.
However, the spokesperson noted that attempts to resolve the internal crisis through dialogue and out-of-court settlements failed, resulting in a series of legal battles that could threaten the party’s chances in future elections, especially in 2027.
“Efforts to achieve peace, reconciliation, and out-of-court settlements have proven difficult, leading to a series of legal disputes that may have future implications, particularly for leaders planning to contest elections in 2027,” he added.
Idris further claimed that Lawal was the last PDP governor seeking re-election who remained in the party despite the ongoing turmoil.
“Governor Lawal was the last man standing in the Peoples Democratic Party who stood firm until the very end, which was marked by yesterday’s Appeal Court judgment,” the statement said.
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According to him, the governor had earlier informed political stakeholders during several meetings that he would make a final decision after the court ruling on the party’s leadership crisis.
The spokesperson said the decision followed a judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria sitting in Abuja, which dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP against an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
The Federal High Court had previously restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.
Idris said the appellate court’s decision effectively ended Lawal’s continued stay in the PDP.
“The appellate judgment ended Governor Dauda Lawal’s stay in the Peoples Democratic Party, as he prioritised the interests of Zamfara State by joining the All Progressives Congress to sustain the Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild mission,” the statement added.
Lawal’s defection marks another major political shift ahead of the 2027 general elections, further weakening the PDP as it grapples with internal leadership disputes and multiple court cases over its national structure.
