In a significant political development, Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move was confirmed by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau on March 9, 2026.

The decision to switch parties followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders in Zamfara State. Anka stated, “After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress.”

Lawal’s defection is seen as a response to internal challenges within the PDP, which have been described as a “deepening internal crisis.” Deputy Governor Malam Mani Mummuni noted that the decision was influenced by the need to foster greater unity and consensus in addressing Zamfara’s security and development challenges.

The final deliberation leading to Lawal’s decision took place at the Government House, where the announcement was made. This defection increases the number of APC governors to 31, while the PDP is now left with only two governors.

Lawal’s move to the APC is also strategically timed as he is expected to seek re-election in the upcoming 2027 general elections. His transition to the APC is viewed as a bid to strengthen his political base and ensure better collaboration with the Federal Government.

Background context reveals that Lawal’s defection follows a Court of Appeal judgment that upheld a ruling restraining the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognizing the outcome of the PDP national convention, further complicating the party’s internal dynamics.

Reactions to Lawal’s defection have been mixed, with some political analysts viewing it as a pragmatic decision in light of the challenges facing the PDP. Others express concern over the implications for party politics in Zamfara State.

As the political landscape continues to evolve, the full impact of Lawal’s defection on Zamfara State’s governance and the upcoming elections remains to be seen.

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