Lawal Daura explains his ADC exit, citing poor leadership and lack of discipline before joining the APM ahead of the 2027 elections
Former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Daura, has explained his decision to leave the African Democratic Congress (ADC) for the All Progressives Movement (APM), saying concerns about leadership and discipline influenced his choice.
Also read: APC Left South-East Behind, Kwankwaso Group Alleges
Daura gave the explanation on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Monday, September 7, 2026, while discussing his recent political decisions and his earlier ambition to contest the Katsina State governorship election.
The former intelligence chief said his decision to leave the ADC followed his realisation that the party did not offer the level of leadership he expected from an organisation seeking to achieve political goals.
Daura said the absence of effective leadership could create indiscipline and make it difficult for any organisation to function properly.
“Basically, two things changed. The first was my discovery that the choice of ADC was somehow not a very correct one, and the reason being lack of leadership,” he said.
“And where there is no leadership, by my training, there is not likely to be discipline. And if there is no discipline, there is no way organisational goals can be accomplished. So that was my reason for opting out.”
His comments provide an insight into the thinking behind his departure from the ADC, which has emerged as one of the platforms attracting prominent political figures ahead of the 2027 elections.
Daura also addressed his earlier decision to seek the governorship of Katsina State, explaining that the ambition was largely driven by appeals from elders and other stakeholders in the state.
According to the former DSS chief, the growing security challenges in Katsina prompted community leaders to approach him because of his experience dealing with national security issues.
He said the decision was therefore not initially based on a personal ambition to become governor.
“Even when I wanted to aspire to governorship, it wasn’t really, I would say, my own making,” Daura said.
“Normally, politicians say they have been asked, but in my own case, it was truly the case of being asked to come.”
Daura said Katsina had become increasingly affected by insecurity, prompting elders in the state to question why he would remain outside the political process despite his previous role in national security.
“Because Katsina State is going to be one of the epicentres of insecurity, whatever you can call it, and it has been growing by the day,” he said.
He explained that several elders subsequently encouraged him to obtain the governorship nomination form and use his experience to help address the security situation.
Daura said he was willing to respond to the wishes of his people if they believed his experience could be useful to the state.
“So, a lot of people around, especially the elders in Katsina State, came to ask why I allow these things to happen when I am one of those that have really been doing it at the national level,” he said.
“They asked that if I don’t really mind, I should come and buy the form for the governorship of Katsina State.”
The former DSS director-general added that accepting such a request would not diminish his identity or standing among the people who know him.
“This is because whatever my people want, I will do it for them. That doesn’t reduce anything from me. I’m still the person that they know. It doesn’t take anything away from me,” he said.
Daura’s comments come as political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 general elections, with politicians and political groups reassessing their affiliations and alliances.
Also read: APC Left South-East Behind, Kwankwaso Group Alleges
His movement from the ADC to the APM adds another dimension to the shifting political landscape, while his explanation places leadership, organisational discipline and Katsina’s worsening security situation at the centre of his recent decisions.
