Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has officially resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that further strengthens the governing party’s hold on state leadership across the country.
The governor’s decision was confirmed on Monday by his media aide, Nuhu Anka, who said the defection followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders, elders, and supporters across Zamfara State. According to the statement, the move was taken after careful consideration of the prevailing political situation within the PDP and the need to ensure stability and continued development in the state.
Anka explained that the governor’s decision was influenced by the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP at both the national and state levels. He noted that persistent leadership disputes and unresolved structural challenges within the opposition party had created uncertainty capable of distracting from governance and the delivery of development projects to the people.
The statement added that the governor believes aligning with the APC would provide a more stable political platform and strengthen cooperation with the Federal Government, which he said is essential for addressing key issues such as security and economic development in Zamfara State.
The final consultations that led to the decision reportedly took place at the Government House in Gusau and were coordinated by the Deputy Governor alongside senior government officials and influential political figures in the state. During the meeting, stakeholders deliberated on the political situation in the country and the challenges facing the PDP before reaching a consensus to support the governor’s move.
Despite leaving the party, the governor expressed appreciation to members of the PDP in Zamfara State for their support and cooperation over the years. However, the statement noted that the realities within the party and the lingering crisis made it necessary for him to take what was described as a bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of the state.
By joining the APC, Lawal pledged to work towards strengthening unity in the state, improving security, accelerating development projects, and ensuring that Zamfara benefits from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government.
The governor’s defection comes shortly after a ruling by the Court of Appeal of Nigeria which upheld an earlier decision restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan. The judgment further deepened the leadership crisis within the opposition party.
Political observers had earlier suggested that Lawal was reviewing his political options due to the unresolved disputes within the PDP at the national level and was waiting for the outcome of the appellate court’s decision before taking a final step.
With his defection, the number of state governors under the APC has now risen to 31, further consolidating the ruling party’s dominance in Nigeria’s political landscape.
The development follows a similar move last week by the Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, who also defected from the PDP to the APC along with members of his cabinet, political appointees, and elected local government chairmen.
In the Adamawa State House of Assembly, the Speaker, Wesley Bathiya, also resigned from the PDP alongside 14 other lawmakers, formally presenting their letters of resignation during a plenary session.
The wave of defections from the PDP to the APC comes as political realignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections, in which Governor Lawal, 60, is expected to seek a second term in office.
Comments are closed.