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By Lawrence Agbo
Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has disclosed that the prolonged legal disputes and internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) compelled him to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mani Mummuni, announced the governor’s formal defection on Monday following a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move from the PDP to the APC was described as a strategic decision taken in the interest of the state.
According to the statement, the decision to join the APC was reached after consultations with key stakeholders in Zamfara State amid ongoing legal challenges facing the PDP.
It added that Lawal remained committed to the PDP and had worked to reconcile factions within the party to maintain unity ahead of future elections.
However, attempts to achieve peace and out-of-court settlements among aggrieved party members proved difficult, resulting in a series of legal battles that could affect the party’s prospects in the 2027 elections.
The statement further noted that Lawal had been one of the few governors seeking a second term who remained in the PDP despite the ongoing crisis, hoping that party leaders would resolve the internal disputes.
It explained that during the weeks of consultations, the governor informed stakeholders that he would make a final decision after the outcome of a court ruling.
The turning point came after the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed an appeal by the PDP challenging the October 31 judgment of the Federal High Court delivered by Justice James Omotosho.
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The earlier ruling had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
Following the appellate court judgment, the statement said the governor decided to leave the PDP and join the APC in what it described as a move aimed at protecting the interests of Zamfara State and sustaining the administration’s “Rescue and Rebuild” agenda.
The statement read in part, “Yesterday, Governor Dauda Lawal has officially decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressive Congress (APC), a decision reached and endorsed by all relevant stakeholders in Zamfara State.
“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.
“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.
“Governor Lawal was the last man standing in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) 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.
“In a recent series of meetings that lasted for weeks, Governor Lawal had informed stakeholders that he acknowledged their request to transition to the APC, but he would decide after the Appeal Court judgment.
“The Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed an appeal by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) against the October 31 judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the national convention which held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15 and 16.
“The appellate judgment ended Governor Dauda Lawal’s stay in the People’s Democratic Party, prioritising the interests of Zamfara State. He joined the All Progressives Congress to sustain the Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild mission.”
