Real reason I dumped PDP – Gov. Dauda Lawal

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has cited the prolonged internal crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the reason for his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The governor’s decision was formally announced on Monday by the Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mallam Mani Mummuni, following a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau.

In a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the move was described as a necessary step taken in the interest of the state after extensive consultations with political leaders and stakeholders.

“Yesterday (Monday), Governor Dauda Lawal officially decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, a decision reached and endorsed by all relevant stakeholders in Zamfara State,” the statement said.

According to Idris, the governor remained loyal to the PDP for a long period and made efforts to reconcile the party’s warring factions before eventually deciding to leave.

“Governor Lawal has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party. He worked diligently to facilitate reconciliation among the party’s factions, ensuring it remained unified and capable of fielding candidates for upcoming elections,” the statement noted.

The spokesperson added that repeated attempts to resolve the crisis through reconciliation and out-of-court settlements failed, leading to prolonged legal battles that could negatively affect the party’s chances in future elections, particularly in 2027.

“Efforts to achieve peace, reconciliation and out-of-court settlements proved difficult, leading to a series of legal battles that may have future implications, particularly for leaders contesting elections in 2027,” Idris said.

He further stated that Governor Lawal had remained the last PDP governor seeking re-election who stayed in the party despite the internal turmoil.

“Governor Lawal was the last man standing in the Peoples Democratic Party who stood firm until the very end, which was marked by yesterday’s Appeal Court judgment.”

The governor had earlier informed stakeholders during several meetings that he would make a final decision on his political future after the Court of Appeal ruling.

The appellate court in Abuja on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP against the October 31 judgment of the Federal High Court, which restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan in November 2025.

According to the statement, the ruling effectively marked the end of the governor’s stay in the PDP, prompting his move to the APC in what was described as a step to sustain the “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild Mission.”