Governor Dauda Lawal Defects to APC, Citing PDP’s “Prolonged Internal Crisis

In a major political shift, Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement, made on Monday, March 9, 2026, marks a significant consolidation of power for the ruling party in the North-West, bringing the total number of APC-led states to 31.

The Governor’s spokesperson, Nuhu Anka, confirmed the move in a statement, revealing that the decision followed extensive consultations with political leaders, traditional elders, and key stakeholders across Zamfara. The administration cited the “prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges” within the PDP at both the national and state levels as the primary drivers for the exit. According to the statement, these persistent distractions were viewed as a threat to effective governance and the delivery of the “Rescue Mission” mandate promised to the people of the state.

This defection is closely linked to the current legal turmoil surrounding the PDP. Earlier the same day, the Court of Appeal upheld a judgment barring the validation of the PDP’s national convention in Ibadan—a gathering that had been a major point of contention between rival factions. Governor Lawal had previously indicated that his political future would depend on the judicial outcome of these leadership disputes. With the court ruling against the party’s convention legitimacy, the Governor moved to align with a platform he described as providing “greater unity and stability.”

Governor Lawal’s shift to the APC is also strategically aimed at improving security and development in Zamfara. By aligning with the Federal Government, the state hopes to secure stronger cooperation in tackling the long-standing banditry and insurgency that have plagued the region. The move follows a similar defection by Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri just last week, signaling a wave of realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.

At 60 years old and approaching a re-election cycle, Lawal’s decision dramatically reshapes the 2027 landscape. While some APC stakeholders have expressed concern over the internal reshuffling of positions, the party’s national leadership has welcomed the move as a step toward national unity. The transition was finalized at the Government House in Gusau, where the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to accelerating state progress under the “Broom” banner.