Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has attributed his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) to ongoing legal disputes and internal crises within the opposition party.
Gatekeepers News reports that the governor’s defection was formally announced on Monday by the Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mani Mummuni, following a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesman, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state.
According to the statement, the decision to join the APC was reached after extensive consultations with key stakeholders in Zamfara amid persistent legal challenges facing the PDP.
“Yesterday, Governor Dauda Lawal officially decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a decision endorsed by all relevant stakeholders in Zamfara State,” the statement said.
It added that Lawal had remained committed to the PDP and worked to reconcile factions within the party to ensure unity ahead of future elections.
“Governor Lawal demonstrated strong commitment to the PDP, working diligently to reconcile the party’s factions to ensure it remained unified and could field candidates for upcoming elections.
“However, efforts to achieve peace, reconciliation, and out-of-court settlements proved difficult, leading to a series of legal battles with potential implications for leaders contesting elections in 2027.”
The statement further noted that Lawal was the last PDP governor seeking re-election who had remained in the party until Monday’s ruling by the Court of Appeal.
“Governor Lawal was the last standing PDP governor seeking a second term who remained in the party until yesterday’s Appeal Court judgment. He had hoped the party leadership would act with decorum and take appropriate steps.
“After several weeks of consultations, Governor Lawal acknowledged the stakeholders’ request for him to transition to the APC, but chose to decide only after the Appeal Court ruling,” it added.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja on Monday dismissed the PDP’s appeal against the October 31 judgment delivered by James Omotosho of the Federal High Court.
The earlier ruling had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, between November 15 and 16.
The appellate court’s decision effectively ended Lawal’s stay in the PDP and paved the way for his defection to the APC.
According to the statement, the governor said the move was also aimed at sustaining the Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission in the state.
