Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, is reportedly preparing to defect from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) following consultations with political stakeholders in the state.
Sources within the APC disclosed that the governor has held a series of meetings with members of his cabinet, political associates and other stakeholders in the Zamfara State capital, Gusau, to deliberate on the state’s political direction amid the ongoing crisis within the PDP.
According to the sources, discussions during the consultations centred on the possibility of Lawal joining the ruling party, with the defection expected to take place before the end of the Muslim fasting period.
If the move materialises, it could further weaken the PDP while strengthening the APC’s dominance across the country, potentially increasing the number of APC-controlled states to 31 as political realignments continue ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The development comes amid mounting pressure from political groups and influential figures in Zamfara urging the governor to align with the party at the federal level. Advocates of the move argue that political alignment with the centre could improve cooperation with the federal government and enhance access to resources needed to tackle the state’s security and development challenges.
Zamfara has faced persistent banditry, kidnapping and rural violence for several years, placing heavy pressure on the state’s finances and security infrastructure. Some stakeholders believe closer collaboration with the federal government could strengthen ongoing efforts to address these challenges.
Fueling speculation about a possible defection, Governor Lawal recently suggested that remaining outside the ruling party may have placed the state at a disadvantage in accessing certain federal benefits.
Speaking during an interaction with stakeholders, the governor stated that Zamfara had not received federal intervention funds beyond statutory allocations since he assumed office in 2023.
He claimed that some states had received more than ₦500 billion in federal palliative support following the removal of fuel subsidy, adding that Zamfara had not benefited from similar interventions.
Lawal, a former banker, won the 2023 governorship election on the PDP platform after defeating the incumbent APC administration, a victory widely regarded as a major upset in the North West political landscape.
However, the PDP has continued to face internal divisions at the national level, while the APC has consolidated political influence across several states, prompting speculation that more opposition governors may consider switching parties ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, former Bayelsa State governor and Senator representing Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC).
Dickson said the decision followed extensive consultations with political associates and supporters across the country. He attributed his departure to the deepening crisis within the PDP and the need to help build a credible democratic alternative in Nigeria.
The former governor, who joined the PDP in 2005, expressed concern that the party’s internal conflicts and leadership challenges have weakened its ability to function effectively as a national opposition platform.
He also warned against the risk of Nigeria drifting toward a one party political system, stressing the importance of maintaining a vibrant multi party democracy in a country as diverse as Nigeria.
