Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State, alongside his deputy Mani Mallam Mummuni, has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a shift that further consolidates the ruling party’s dominance ahead of the 2027 general elections. The decision was publicly announced on Monday, March 9, 2026, in Gusau, the state capital, when the deputy governor spoke on behalf of the governor, confirming the complete defection of the state’s executive leadership to the APC.
According to the announcement, the move came after extensive consultations with political stakeholders, local leaders, and supporters who advised a political realignment to ensure greater unity, stability, and cooperation with the Federal Government — particularly to address security challenges and accelerate development in the North‑West state. The defection ceremony included the symbolic removal of the PDP flag from the Zamfara State Government House, underscoring the definitive break with the opposition party.
Analysts say Lawal’s defection reflects wider discontent within the PDP, whose internal crises have prompted several governors to seek platforms perceived as offering stronger national cohesion and political advantage. With this move, the APC now governs over 30 of Nigeria’s 36 states, greatly strengthening President Bola Tinubu’s political base ahead of national elections.
