ZAMFARA GOVERNOR EXPLAINS REASONS FOR DEFECTING TO APC
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Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has attributed his defection to the All Progressives Congress to the prolonged crisis and ongoing legal disputes within the Peoples Democratic Party.
The defection was officially announced on Monday by the state Deputy Governor, Mani Mummuni, following a stakeholders’ meeting at the Government House in Gusau.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, described the move as a necessary step in the best interest of Zamfara State.
The statement further noted that the decision to join the APC came after consultations with political stakeholders across the state, in light of the PDP’s lingering legal challenges.
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“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 further noted that Lawal was the last PDP governor seeking re-election to remain in the party amid internal disputes.
“Governor Lawal was the final governor standing in the Peoples Democratic Party, remaining steadfast until the conclusion marked by yesterday’s Appeal Court ruling. He was the only governor pursuing a second term who chose to stay, hoping party leaders would act with decorum and take the right steps,” Idris said.
The statement added that the governor had previously informed stakeholders during several weeks of meetings that he would make his final decision following the court’s judgment.
“Governor Lawal had told stakeholders that, while he acknowledged their request to move to the APC, he would make his decision only after the Appeal Court ruling,” the statement noted.
The statement further noted that on Monday, the Court of Appeal of Nigeria in Abuja dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging an October 31 ruling by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
The Federal High Court had previously barred the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the results of the party’s national convention held in Ibadan on November 15 and 16.
According to the spokesperson, the appellate court’s decision effectively brought Governor Lawal’s tenure in the PDP to an end.
“The appellate ruling concluded Governor Dauda Lawal’s stay in the Peoples Democratic Party, as he chose to prioritise the interests of Zamfara State by joining the All Progressives Congress to continue the Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild initiative,” the statement said.
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