By Ghazali Ibrahim
The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move that has reshaped the political landscape of the fragmented PDP in the country.
Lawal’s defection was announced on Monday, with his deputy, Mani Mallam Mummuni, also joining the ruling party alongside him.
The decision was confirmed in a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka.
According to the statement, the governor said the decision followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders, supporters and community leaders across the state. He cited internal crises and leadership disagreements within the PDP as part of the reasons for leaving the opposition party.
The statement noted that the move was taken “in the overriding interest of stability, progress and sustainable development” in Zamfara State.
Shortly after the announcement, the flag of the APC was reportedly hoisted at the Zamfara State Government House in Gusau, symbolising the state government’s formal alignment with the ruling party.
Lawal, a former banker, was elected governor in 2023 on the platform of the PDP after defeating the incumbent APC governor at the time.
Political analysts say the defection could strengthen the influence of the APC at the national level, further expanding the party’s control of state governments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The development has already sparked reactions within Nigeria’s political circles, with observers describing it as another major shift in the country’s evolving party alignments.
