Dare Babalola
The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has attributed his decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress to the ongoing crisis and legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party.
Lawal’s defection was formally announced on Monday by the state’s Deputy Governor, Mani Mummuni, subsequent to a stakeholders’ meeting convened at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, characterised the move as a necessary measure undertaken in the interest of Zamfara State.
The statement indicated that the decision to join the APC was taken after consultations with political stakeholders across the state, amidst ongoing legal challenges confronting the PDP.
“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 noted that the governor had remained committed to the PDP and made efforts to reconcile the party’s warring factions before eventually 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 added that attempts to resolve the party’s internal crisis through reconciliation and out-of-court settlements had proved unsuccessful, resulting in a series of legal disputes that could affect the party’s prospects in future elections, particularly 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 added that Lawal remained the last PDP governor seeking a second term 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.
“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.
According to the statement, the governor had earlier informed stakeholders during a series of meetings that lasted several weeks that he would take a final decision after the court ruling.
“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 added 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 said the Federal High Court had restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the party’s national convention held 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.
