Governor Dauda Lawal Cites Legal Turmoil and PDP Crisis as Grounds for APC Defection

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially attributed his resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the protracted legal disputes and internal instability currently fracturing the party’s national leadership.

The formal announcement was made on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, by the Deputy Governor, Mallam Mani Mummuni, following a high-level stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.

In a supporting statement, the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, characterized the move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a strategic necessity aimed at preserving the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild” mission.

The Governor’s exit was catalyzed by a Monday ruling from the Court of Appeal in Abuja, which dismissed a PDP appeal against an earlier Federal High Court judgment.

That judicial decision restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognizing the results of the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, in November 2025. Governor Lawal described himself as the “last man standing” within the party, noting that he had exhausted all avenues for reconciliation and out-of-court settlements before the appellate court effectively nullified the legitimacy of the party’s current leadership structure.

According to the administration, Lawal had previously informed stakeholders that while he remained committed to the PDP’s unity, he would wait for the final judicial interpretation before deciding his political future.

The dismissal of the appeal created a vacuum of leadership and legal uncertainty that threatened the Governor’s 2027 re-election prospects and the overall stability of the state.

By joining the APC, the Governor intends to align Zamfara State with the federal governing platform to ensure uninterrupted development and a more cohesive relationship with the central government.