GOVERNOR Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially resigned his membership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), barely 24 hours after **News Point Nigeria reported that the governor was considering such a move.
The announcement was confirmed on Monday in a statement sent to News Point Nigeria by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, who said the decision followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders across Zamfara State.
According to the statement, the governor took the step after weighing the political realities within the PDP and the need to ensure stability and development for the state.
The statement explained that the defection came after weeks of consultations involving political leaders, elders, party supporters and government officials in the state.
“The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state,” the statement said.
“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).”
The governor said the decision was largely influenced by the prolonged internal crisis within the PDP at both the national and state levels.
The statement noted that the lingering leadership disagreements and unresolved structural challenges within the opposition party had created uncertainty and distractions capable of undermining governance.
“These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” Anka said.
The governor also expressed appreciation to members of the PDP in the state for their cooperation and support during his time in the party.
However, he said current political realities and unresolved disputes within the party made it necessary to take what he described as a “bold step” in the interest of the state.
According to the governor’s aide, the decision to join the APC was also driven by the need to strengthen cooperation with the Federal Government in addressing security challenges and accelerating development in Zamfara State.
The North-West state has struggled with security issues in recent years, including banditry and rural violence.
“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government,” the statement said.
Anka added that the final deliberations that led to the decision were held at the Zamfara Government House in Gusau under the coordination of the deputy governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders.
The governor’s defection comes shortly after the Court of Appeal of Nigeria delivered a ruling on Monday upholding earlier judgments of the **Federal High Court that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan.
The appellate court also affirmed another ruling that restrained the PDP from proceeding with the convention without allowing former Jigawa State governor Sule Lamido to participate as a chairmanship candidate.
The court’s decision represents a major legal setback for the PDP and has further deepened the leadership crisis within the party.
On Sunday, News Point Nigeria had reported that Governor Lawal was considering defecting to the APC as political realignments intensified ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Sources within both parties in Abuja, Gusau and Kaduna had disclosed that the governor and his political allies were closely monitoring the outcome of the Court of Appeal ruling on the PDP leadership dispute before taking a final decision.
The Zamfara governor was widely known to belong to the faction of the PDP led by Kabiru Tanimu Turaki, one of the rival groups battling for control of the party’s national structure.
Party insiders had also revealed that Lawal had held several meetings with senior figures within the APC regarding his possible defection.
Sources said the ongoing consultations surrounding Lawal’s move were partly responsible for the decision by the APC leadership to postpone its state, local government and ward congresses in Zamfara.
In a memo dated March 2, 2026 and addressed to the chairman of INEC, the APC explained that the postponement was due to ongoing consultations and the need to conclude administrative preparations to ensure transparent and orderly congresses in the state.
The party assured the electoral commission that it would communicate a revised timetable once the consultations were completed in accordance with the Electoral Act 2022 and relevant political party guidelines.
With Lawal’s defection, the APC now controls 31 state governments, further consolidating its political dominance across Nigeria.
Lawal, who turned 60 this year, is among the governors expected to seek re-election in the 2027 general elections.
Below is the link to News Point Nigeria’s earlier report on the Zamfara Governor’s defection to the APC:
Zamfara Governor Lawal Set To Dump PDP For APC As Party Crisis Deepens