Court Ruling on PDP Prompts me to Join APC- Governor Lawal

Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing ongoing legal battles and divisions within his former party as key reasons for the move.

The governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, explained that Lawal consulted widely with political leaders and stakeholders in Zamfara State before deciding to defect.

The decision came after the Court of Appeal in Abuja upheld a Federal High Court ruling that restricted the PDP from holding its national convention.

The judgment also dismissed the appeal of the faction led by Tanimu Turaki, which claimed leadership of the party following the Ibadan convention.

Lawal had remained in the PDP as the only governor seeking a second term who stayed with the party, despite internal disagreements and unresolved conflicts.

He had made repeated efforts to reconcile different factions in the party, but the legal disputes persisted and made it difficult for him to continue.

Following the appellate court ruling, Lawal opted to join the APC to ensure continuity of his policies and governance projects in Zamfara State, described as part of the “Rescue and Rebuild” mission.

The spokesperson noted that the governor’s move was in response to the advice of stakeholders and was intended to secure political stability and progress for the state.

Meanwhile, the Turaki-led PDP faction has announced plans to appeal the Court of Appeal’s decision at the Supreme Court. The appellate court had also imposed a cost of N2 million on Turaki and other members of his faction.

The defection adds to the growing number of politicians leaving the PDP amid ongoing disputes and sets the stage for the 2027 general elections in Nigeria.