Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing prolonged internal crises and legal disputes within the PDP as the primary reasons. The announcement was made on Monday by the Deputy Governor, Mallam Mani Mummuni, following a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.
According to a statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the defection was a carefully considered decision taken in the interest of the state after extensive consultations with political leaders and stakeholders. Idris noted that the governor had remained loyal to the PDP for an extended period, making significant efforts to reconcile warring factions within the party before ultimately deciding to leave.
The statement highlighted that repeated attempts at reconciliation and out-of-court settlements failed, leading to ongoing legal battles that threatened the PDP’s prospects, particularly with the 2027 elections in view. Governor Lawal was described as the last PDP governor seeking re-election who remained committed to resolving the party’s internal turmoil until the recent appellate court ruling.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed the PDP’s appeal against the October 31 judgment of the Federal High Court, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025. The ruling was cited as a decisive factor prompting Governor Lawal’s move to the APC.
Governor Lawal’s defection is framed as a step to sustain the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission,” with the move endorsed by relevant stakeholders in the state. The spokesperson emphasized that the decision aims to ensure stability, effective governance, and the continued pursuit of development initiatives in Zamfara State.
