Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has firmly denied rumours suggesting he plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), declaring his unwavering commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—the platform on which he won election in 2023.
This clarification comes amid growing political speculation and public calls by Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara Governor, Bello Matawalle, who recently urged Lawal to cross over to the APC.
Speaking with Journalists via telephone, Lawal’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, debunked the claims, stressing that the governor has no intention of leaving the PDP.
“Some people have been spreading rumours that Governor Dauda Lawal is planning to dump his party, the PDP, and join APC. There is no iota of truth in this,” Kaura stated.
“Governor Dauda Lawal will remain in the PDP and has no intention of joining any other party. He is a true believer who believes in God, and whatever God has destined to happen must happen, no matter the party he belongs to,” he added.
Matawalle, however, maintained his invitation. During a Sallah visit by supporters to his residence in Maradun, he described the APC as the party of peace, progress, and development. The message, delivered through his former Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, urged Lawal to stop “playing hide-and-seek” and join the ruling party.
He emphasized that there was no personal animosity between him and Governor Lawal and assured that the governor would be warmly received into the APC. “President Tinubu welcomes all willing to join the trailblazer of peace, harmony, growth, and development,” Matawalle noted.
He also challenged the governor to justify the significant federal allocations received by Zamfara State through visible developmental projects.
Matawalle praised President Bola Tinubu for his leadership, especially in tackling insecurity and improving the economy, citing efforts to dismantle terrorist groups and restore peace in Zamfara and other northern states.
Despite mounting political pressure, Governor Lawal has made his stance clear: he remains with the PDP. His public reaffirmation may help to quash defection rumours for now, even as political realignments loom ahead of the 2027 elections.
