Zamfara's Governor Dauda Lawal Set to Switch from PDP to APC

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State is reportedly poised to leave the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in favor of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This decision follows his consultations regarding the political climate in the North-west state, which have indicated a shift is necessary due to the PDP's ongoing internal turmoil.

Such a move could further weaken the PDP in the region, contributing to a potential reshaping of the political dynamics as APC governors are projected to increase to 31. Meanwhile, opposition parties are grappling with challenges that hinder their cohesion and influence.

Sources close to the APC informed THISDAY on Thursday that Lawal has recently conducted discussions with his cabinet, political allies, and key stakeholders in Gusau, the state capital. They deliberated on the state’s political trajectory and the practical implications of remaining with the PDP considering the party's persistent difficulties.

Insiders say that discussions around defecting to the APC were a focal point in these consultations, with a potential switch anticipated to happen by the end of the Islamic fasting month.

This development arises in the context of increasing pressure from influential groups and politicians within Zamfara who are advocating for Lawal's alignment with the ruling party to enhance collaboration with the federal government, thereby improving the allocation of resources necessary for addressing the state’s pressing security and developmental issues.

Zamfara has been plagued for years by significant security challenges, including banditry and kidnapping. Stakeholders believe that aligning politically with the party in power at the federal level could facilitate better support in combating these ongoing threats.

In recent weeks, several political organizations and community leaders have urged Governor Lawal to join the APC, advocating that such a shift would accelerate key development initiatives and bolster security measures in the state.

The call for alignment with the APC has intensified as other political figures, such as lawmakers and party representatives, have already defected from the PDP to the APC. Lawal has also alluded to the disadvantages of remaining with the PDP, indicating that his decision not to join the ruling party might be limiting Zamfara’s access to federal benefits.

During a recent meeting with stakeholders, Lawal noted that the state has not been receiving equitable federal intervention funds since he took office in 2023, stating, "I know states receiving over N500 billion from the federal government as support, but I have not received anything because I’m not a member of the APC."

He claimed that states governed by the APC had been availing themselves of substantial financial assistance aimed at mitigating the effects of the fuel subsidy removal and rising living costs.

These remarks have raised speculation about impending significant party shifts within Nigeria's political framework, where governors often migrate towards the ruling party for enhanced negotiation leverage and access to federal resources.

Lawal, a former banker, secured the governorship of Zamfara in 2023, defeating the then-incumbent APC leadership, a victory viewed as a notable upset in the political landscape of the North-west.

However, with the PDP facing continued internal strife nationally and the APC consolidating its influence across various states, there is growing speculation that more governors in opposition could contemplate switching parties as they recalibrate their political strategies ahead of the upcoming elections.

Once the defection occurs, it will constitute a significant political realignment in Zamfara and reinforce the APC’s standing in the North-west, representing another blow to the PDP which has been struggling with internal discord and departures.

In a related event, former Bayelsa State governor and current Senator for Bayelsa West, Seriake Dickson, has officially defected from the PDP to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). He cited the worsening turmoil within the PDP as prompting his need to form a viable democratic alternative.

Dickson addressed journalists and supporters, attributing his decision to extensive discussions with political affiliates throughout the country, expressing gratitude for the support he has received from his constituents throughout his political tenure, including his time as governor and senator.

He emphasized that his political journey has always been driven by principles, loyalty to democracy, and a readiness to challenge the status quo when necessary.

Having been with the PDP since 2005 following earlier political involvement during Nigeria's democratic transition in the late 1990s, Dickson reminisced about leading youth groups to promote engagement in the democratic process.

While the PDP once offered a broad platform inclusive of diverse Nigerian interests, Dickson noted that internal conflicts and poor leadership decisions have severely weakened the party. He decried this as a crisis of their own making that adversely impacts its effectiveness as a national opposition force.

He cautioned that such ongoing instability may hinder the party's ability to contend in future elections, particularly regarding the 2027 general elections. Dickson also raised concerns about the potential for Nigeria's political system to shift towards a one-party state, underscoring the necessity for a dynamic multi-party democracy.

Remarkably, he revealed that he had resisted multiple urges in the past to join the ruling APC, maintaining that a strong opposition is vital for Nigeria’s governance.