- Dauda Lawal formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress after prolonged internal crises
- The decision followed failed reconciliation attempts and a Court of Appeal ruling that ended his stay in the PDP while safeguarding Zamfara State’s political interests
- Lawal was the last PDP governor seeking a second term to remain in the party until legal disputes and factional disputes made continued membership untenable
Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has attributed his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the prolonged internal crisis and ongoing legal disputes plaguing the party.
The move was formally announced on Monday by the state Deputy Governor, Mani Mummuni, following a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, described the decision as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state. The statement explained that Lawal’s choice to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed consultations with political stakeholders amid the lingering legal challenges affecting the PDP.
“Yesterday (Monday), Governor Dauda Lawal officially decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, a decision reached and endorsed by all relevant stakeholders in Zamfara State,” Idris said.
The spokesperson noted that Lawal had remained committed to the PDP, making efforts to reconcile the party’s warring factions before ultimately leaving.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party. He has worked diligently to facilitate reconciliation among the party’s factions, ensuring it remains unified and can field candidates for upcoming elections,” Idris added.
Attempts to resolve the party’s internal crisis through reconciliation and out-of-court settlements reportedly proved unsuccessful, leading to a series of legal disputes that could affect the party’s prospects in future elections, particularly the 2027 polls.
“Efforts to achieve peace, reconciliation, and out-of-court settlements have proven difficult, leading to a series of legal battles that may have future implications, particularly for leaders contesting elections in 2027,” Idris explained.
The statement highlighted that Lawal was the last PDP governor seeking a second term who stayed in the party despite the turmoil.
“Governor Lawal was the last man standing in the Peoples Democratic Party who stood firm until the very end, which was marked by yesterday’s Appeal Court judgment. He was the only governor seeking a second term who chose to stay, hoping that the party leaders would demonstrate decorum and take appropriate action,” the spokesperson said.
Lawal had informed stakeholders over several weeks that he would make a final decision following the court ruling. The Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed a PDP appeal against an October 31 Federal High Court judgment, which had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in mid-November.
According to Idris, the appellate court ruling effectively ended the governor’s stay in the PDP.
“The appellate judgment ended Governor Dauda 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,” he added.