Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has defected to the All Progressives Congress, citing the lingering crisis and legal issues plaguing the Peoples Democratic Party.
Mani Mummuni, the state deputy governor, formally announced the defection on Monday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.
Sulaiman Idris, the governor’s spokesperson, called the action as a necessary step taken in the interest of Zamfara State” in a statement released on Tuesday.
The statement claims that in light of the PDP’s ongoing legal issues, the decision to join the APC was made after consulting with political stakeholders in the state.
“Yesterday (Monday), Governor Dauda Lawal officially decamped from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a decision reached and endorsed by all relevant stakeholders in Zamfara State,” the statement said.
Idris pointed out that the governor had remain committed to the PDP and worked to reconcile the party’s divided groups together before leaving.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party. He has worked diligently to facilitate reconciliation among the party’s factions, ensuring it remains unified and can field candidates for upcoming elections,” he said.
The statement went on to say that attempts to resolve the party’s internal strife through out-of-court settlements and reconciliation had failed, leading to a number of legal disputes that could affect the party’s chances in future elections, especially in 2027.
“Efforts to achieve peace, reconciliation, and out-of-court settlements have proven difficult, leading to a series of legal battles that may have future implications, particularly for leaders contesting elections in 2027,” the spokesperson said.
He continued by saying that despite the internal strife, Lawal remained the last PDP governor seeking for a second term.
“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.
“He was the only governor seeking a second term who chose to stay, hoping that the party leaders would demonstrate decorum and take appropriate action,” Idris added.
The governor had previously told stakeholders during several weeks of discussions that he would make a final decision following the court’s ruling, according to the statement.
“Governor Lawal had informed stakeholders that he acknowledged their request to transition to the APC but would decide after the Appeal Court judgment,” the statement said.
It further stated that the Court of Appeal of Nigeria, sitting in Abuja, on Monday dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP against an October 31 judgment delivered by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
It stated that the Independent National Electoral Commission was prohibited by the Federal High Court from acknowledging the results of the party’s national convention, which took place in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.
The spokesperson said the appellate court ruling effectively ended the governor’s stay in the PDP.
“The appellate judgment ended Governor Dauda Lawal’s stay in the Peoples Democratic Party, as he prioritised the interests of Zamfara State by joining the All Progressives Congress to sustain the Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild mission,” the statement added.
