Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
His deputy, Mani Mummuni, also joined the ruling party.
Mummuni announced the defection on Monday during a meeting with members of the state executive council in Gusau, the Zamfara capital.
Meanwhile, Nuhu Anka, director-general of media and communication in the governor’s office, confirmed the development in a statement.
‘Decision Followed Wide Consultations’
According to Anka, Lawal took the decision after extensive consultations with political stakeholders across the state.
He said the governor chose to join the APC in the interest of stability, progress, and sustainable development in Zamfara.
“This decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and supporters,” the statement reads.
Anka added that the governor also considered the lingering internal crisis within the PDP at both national and state levels.
He said leadership disagreements and unresolved structural challenges within the party created uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective 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,” the statement said.
Consequently, Lawal decided to align with a political platform that offers greater unity and stronger cooperation with the federal government.
Anka said key political stakeholders and senior government officials held the final deliberation at the government house in Gusau under the coordination of the deputy governor.
He added that by joining the APC, Lawal reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, and accelerating development in the state.
APC Now Controls 31 States
The announcement effectively ends weeks of speculation about Lawal’s political future.
With the defection, the APC now controls 31 states across the country.
The PDP is left with only two governors — Seyi Makinde of Oyo and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi.
Meanwhile, only five states are currently governed by parties outside the APC.
They are Abia (Labour Party), Oyo (PDP), Bauchi (PDP), Anambra (APGA), and Osun (Accord).
