Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing internal crises within his former party and the need to prioritise the development of the state.
The announcement was confirmed on Monday by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, who said the decision followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders across the state.
“The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state,” the statement read.
“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
According to the statement, the move was influenced by “prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both national and state levels,” which the governor said had created distractions capable of hindering effective governance.
The governor also reaffirmed his commitment to improving security in the North-Western state, noting that aligning with a political platform capable of fostering stronger collaboration with the Federal Government had become necessary.
Anka disclosed that the final consultations leading to the decision took place at the Government House in Gusau under the coordination of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders.
While expressing appreciation to members of the PDP for their support over the years, the governor stressed that the present political realities and unresolved internal disputes within the party necessitated the decision.
“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government,” the statement added.
The development comes shortly after a ruling by the Court of Appeal which upheld an earlier judgment of a High Court barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from validating the PDP national convention held in Ibadan.
Governor Lawal, 60, is among governors expected to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections, and his defection raises the number of governors under the APC to 31.
Meanwhile, the wave of defections to the ruling party has continued elsewhere. Governor Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State recently announced his move to the APC, stating that he joined the party alongside his cabinet members, political appointees, and elected local government chairmen.
In a related development, the Speaker of the Adamawa State House of Assembly, Wesley Bathiya, also resigned his membership of the PDP along with 14 other lawmakers. The announcement was made during plenary after the Speaker presented letters of resignation from the affected members.
