Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal defects to APC, citing PDP’s internal crises and legal battles that threatened the party’s stability
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing prolonged crises and legal disputes within his former party.
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The governor’s defection was announced on Monday by Deputy Governor Mallam Mani Mummuni following a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.
A statement from the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, described the move as necessary to safeguard the state’s interests.
According to the statement, Lawal remained loyal to the PDP and attempted to reconcile its warring factions, but repeated efforts at mediation and out-of-court settlements failed, leading to a protracted series of legal battles.
“Governor Lawal was the last man standing in the Peoples Democratic Party who stood firm until the very end,” Idris said.
“Repeated attempts to achieve peace, reconciliation, and out-of-court settlements proved difficult, resulting in legal battles that could have future implications, particularly for leaders contesting elections in 2027.”
The decision followed a Monday ruling by the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed the PDP’s appeal against an October 31 judgment of the Federal High Court.
The lower court had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.
Idris stated that the appellate ruling effectively ended Lawal’s stay in the PDP.
“The appellate judgment ended Governor 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 spokesperson said.
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Lawal’s move comes amid growing concern over PDP’s internal instability and positions him within the ruling APC as he continues his agenda for state development and governance.
