Zamfara gov weighs defection as INEC deadline looms

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is reportedly considering joining the ruling All Progressives Congress.

Speculation has it that APC leaders in Abuja have reportedly wooed the governor to the party, allegedly offering him an automatic ticket to contest the governorship in 2027.

It was further suggested that Lawal may take 40 per cent of elective and political appointments in the state, while the remaining 60 per cent would go to APC stakeholders.

According to the speculation, Lawal has allegedly consulted with PDP stakeholders in the state about his planned defection, following ongoing crises within the party at the national level.

The governor is reportedly expected to officially join the APC immediately after the forthcoming Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

A source within the APC, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said, “Governor Lawal has accepted the offer to leave PDP and join our party, the APC.

“Although most of us are not celebrating this defection because we will lose a lot of positions, there is nothing we can do about it, as was planned at the top.

“I am quite sure that our party will reclaim Zamfara State in 2027 with or without Governor Lawal. As such, there is nothing to celebrate because of his defection.”

Lawal, while addressing PDP stakeholders at the Government House, Gusau, stressed that only the Appeal Court verdict on the PDP crisis would determine his political future.

He said his possible defection would depend on the Appeal Court ruling regarding the legality of Tanimu Turaki (SAN )’s leadership and the Ibadan, Oyo State, convention of the party.

The PDP is currently in court over the legality of the November 2025 convention held in Ibadan.

The convention, backed by the governors against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, produced Turaki as national chairman of the party.

The party is, however, awaiting the judgment of the Appeal Court, as the high court sitting in Ibadan had declared the convention illegal, null and void.

Speaking to The PUNCH, the spokesperson of Zamfara PDP, Alhaji Haliru Andi, reaffirmed that Lawal would only leave the party if PDP failed to resolve its internal crisis at the appeal court.

“As long as the PDP remains the legitimate political party in Nigeria, Governor Lawal will remain in the party.

“We are only waiting for the Appeal Court’s verdict, which will determine the legality or otherwise of Turaki’s leadership and the Ibadan convention,” Andi said.

He added, “Governor Dauda Lawal, stakeholders, members, and supporters of the PDP in the state are not in support of joining any other party unless the crisis within the party continues to be unresolved.”