Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State and his deputy Mani Mummuni, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Mummuni announced their defection on Monday during a meeting with members of the state executive council in Gusau, the state capital.
The decision of Lawal to join the APC was also announced in a press statement issued by Nuhu Anka, director-general of media and communication at the office of the governor.
In a statement, Anka said Lawal decided to dump the PDP and join the APC after “extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the state”.
Anka said Lawal joined the ruling party in the “overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara state”.
“This decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and supporters, particularly in view of the prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements, and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels,” the statement reads.
“These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State.
“Consequently, it became necessary to align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government for the benefit of the people.
“The final deliberation leading to this historic decision was held at the Government House in Gusau under the coordination and leadership of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders.
“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government.”
The announcement lays to rest speculation on Lawal’s plan to defect to the APC.
With Lawal’s defection, the PDP is now left with two governors — Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and Bala Mohammed of Bauchi State.
This also means APC has 31 governors across the country.
Pan-Atlantic Kompass reports that Lawal’s defection comes just a few hours after the Appeal Court upheld the judgment of the lower court barring the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from recognising PDP’s National Convention that was held in Ibadan, Oyo State last November.
The justices agreed with the lower court’s findings that the party failed to adhere to its own constitution and the guidelines set by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a unanimous decision delivered by a three-member panel led by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam, the appellate court affirmed that the Federal High Court had jurisdiction to hear the suit, rejecting the argument that the dispute was merely an internal affair of the party.
