By Achile Danjuma
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made on Monday , 9 of March, 2026, by his Director General, Media and Communication, Nuhu Salihu Anka, who stated the decision was the result of “extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state.”
According to the official statement, Governor Lawal’s decision to leave the PDP was motivated by a desire to ensure political stability and accelerate the development of Zamfara State. The statement pointed to “prolonged internal crises” within the PDP at both the national and state levels as the primary catalyst for the move.
“After careful consideration, His Excellency has decided to formally defect to the APC,” Mr. Anka said. The government explained that persistent “unresolved leadership disagreements and structural challenges” within the PDP had created an atmosphere of uncertainty and distraction, which it argued was “threatening effective governance” and hindering “the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State.”
In contrast, the governor sees the APC as offering a more stable and collaborative platform. “It became necessary to align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government,” Mr. Anka quoted the governor as saying. Governor Lawal reiterated that his “primary responsibility remains the peace, security, and development of Zamfara State,” and that aligning with the APC is a strategic move to better achieve these goals.
The statement revealed that the final decision was solidified during a meeting at the Government House in Gusau, coordinated by the Deputy Governor and attended by senior government officials and key political stakeholders, underscoring the collective nature of the move.
While expressing gratitude to his former colleagues and supporters in the PDP for their past cooperation, Governor Lawal framed his departure as a necessary step in the face of prevailing political realities. He described it as “a bold step in the interest of good governance and the future of Zamfara State,” marking what his administration calls “a new political phase aimed at promoting unity, stability, and development.”
With his defection to the APC, the governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, and accelerating development. He emphasized that this realignment will enable Zamfara State to benefit more fully from a stronger partnership with the Federal Government.
The government has called on all citizens, political leaders, and stakeholders to remain calm and supportive during this transition. “We urge everyone to embrace this transition peacefully as Zamfara enters a new chapter of political cooperation and progress,” the statement concluded.