In a move that has sent shockwaves through Nigeria’s political landscape, the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement, confirmed on Monday, March 9, 2026, marks a massive win for the ruling party and leaves the PDP reeling as it grapples with internal fractures and legal setbacks.
According to a statement issued by the Governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, the decision followed “extensive consultations” with stakeholders, elders, and supporters across the state.
The primary catalyst for the exit appears to be a crumbling house at the national level. The defection comes on the heels of a stinging Court of Appeal judgment that upheld a restraining order against the PDP’s national convention held in Ibadan.
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“This decision was reached in view of the prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels,” the statement read. “These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance.”
Governor Lawal emphasized that the move is a strategic necessity for the people of Zamfara, a state that has long battled severe security challenges in the North-West. By joining the APC, Lawal aims to forge a “stronger cooperation with the Federal Government,” arguing that a unified political front is essential for the state’s safety and sustainable development.
The final “go-ahead” for the move was reportedly given during a high-stakes meeting at the Government House in Gusau, coordinated by the Deputy Governor and attended by top government officials.
With Lawal’s defection, the APC now controls 31 out of 36 states, further consolidating its dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections.
While the Governor expressed appreciation to his former PDP colleagues for their years of support, he made it clear that the current “political circumstances” made the “umbrella” of the PDP too leaky to stay under.
As the APC “broom” sweeps up another state, all eyes are now on the remaining PDP governors to see if a domino effect will follow the Ibadan convention crisis. For now, Dauda Lawal has traded the umbrella for the broom, betting that “Federal Synergy” is the best way to deliver democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara.
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