Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made on Monday in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, who said the decision followed extensive consultations with political leaders, elders, stakeholders and supporters across the state.
According to the statement, the move was taken after careful deliberation and in the interest of ensuring stability, progress and sustainable development in Zamfara.
“The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders and supporters across the state,” the statement said.
“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.”
Anka explained that the governor’s decision was largely influenced by the lingering internal crisis within the PDP at both the national and state levels.
He noted that leadership disagreements and unresolved structural issues within the party had created uncertainty and distractions that could affect governance in the state.
“These challenges have continued to generate uncertainty and distractions that may hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement added.
The aide also emphasised that the governor remains committed to tackling security challenges and driving development across the North-West state.
According to him, the defection was considered necessary to align the state with a political platform capable of providing greater unity, stability and improved collaboration with the Federal Government.
Anka revealed that the final decision was reached during a meeting held at the Government House in Gusau, involving senior government officials and key political stakeholders. The meeting was coordinated by the Deputy Governor alongside other top officials of the state government.
The governor also expressed appreciation to members of the PDP for their support over the years, noting that prevailing political realities made the switch unavoidable.
The statement added that by joining the APC, Lawal aims to strengthen unity, improve security and accelerate development in the state while ensuring closer cooperation with the Federal Government.
Lawal is among the governors expected to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.
His defection comes shortly after a judgment by the Court of Appeal which upheld an earlier ruling restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan.
With the latest development, the number of governors on the platform of the APC across Nigeria has risen to 31.