Nyesom Wike fires back at Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal, claiming he chased him out of the PDP before his move to the APC
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has launched a fresh verbal attack on Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, claiming he drove the governor out of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) despite his financial resources.
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Wike made the remarks during a media parley on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while responding to Lawal’s reported reference to him as “that guy”.
The minister insisted that Lawal could not withstand him during their time in the PDP, alleging that the governor eventually left the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Ask the governor of Zamfara State. When he was in PDP, I chased him away. He had money. They couldn’t withstand me,” Wike said.
He also made an allegation concerning money Lawal was reportedly keeping for another person, although he did not provide further details to substantiate the claim in the remarks published by Daily Post.
The FCT minister further criticised Lawal’s move to the APC, pointing to what he described as a contradiction between the governor’s earlier position on the PDP and his subsequent political decision.
According to Wike, Lawal had previously accused him of weakening the PDP in a manner that benefited the ruling APC.
Wike said the governor’s eventual move to the same party was ironic, given those earlier accusations.
“He now came to APC. Meanwhile, this was one of the governors who said I was killing the PDP for APC. The same person now run to APC,” the minister said.
Wike described Lawal’s departure from the PDP as a favour, presenting the governor’s political realignment as inconsistent with his previous criticism.
The exchange highlights continuing tensions among prominent political figures associated with the PDP and reflects the wider political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Wike, a former Rivers State governor, has remained a prominent voice in national political debates, while Lawal has emerged as an influential figure in Zamfara State politics.
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The remarks, as reported, did not include a response from Lawal to Wike’s latest comments. The minister’s claims about the circumstances of the governor’s departure from the PDP therefore remain his account of their political history.
