Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara State, has opened up on why he dumped the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the party’s national convention as the final straw.
Speaking through a statement on Tuesday, Lawal explained that the appellate court’s ruling, which invalidated the PDP national convention held in Ibadan, effectively ended his stay in the opposition party after years of loyalty and failed reconciliation efforts.
On Monday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal affirmed a Federal High Court judgment that restrained the PDP from conducting its national convention on November 15 and 16, 2025.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam held that the PDP violated constitutional provisions by failing to serve valid notice of the convention on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by law.
The court dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging the jurisdiction of the lower court to entertain the suit.
However, a faction of the PDP loyal to Kabiru Turaki rejected the judgment and vowed to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Hours after the verdict was delivered, Lawal and his deputy, Mani Mummoni, formally defected to the APC.
‘OUT-OF-COURT SETTLEMENTS PROVED DIFFICULT’
In a statement signed by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the governor noted that the ongoing litigation and internal crisis within the PDP made it difficult for him to remain in the party.
He said despite his commitment to fostering peace and unity among party factions, all efforts to achieve reconciliation and out-of-court settlements proved abortive.
“Joining the All Progressives Congress was a decision made by stakeholders in Zamfara State amid the ongoing legal challenges faced by the Peoples Democratic Party,” the statement read.
“Governor Dauda Lawal demonstrated a strong commitment to the PDP. He worked diligently to facilitate reconciliation among the party’s factions to ensure unity and enable it to field candidates for upcoming elections.
“Efforts to achieve peace, reconciliation, and out-of-court settlements have proven difficult, leading to a series of legal battles that may have future implications, particularly for leaders contesting elections in 2027.”
Idris described Lawal as “the last man standing in the PDP,” noting that he remained hopeful that party leaders would take appropriate steps to restore order.
“He was the only governor seeking a second term who chose to stay, hoping that party leaders would demonstrate decorum and take appropriate action,” he added.
According to the statement, Lawal had in a series of meetings with stakeholders over several weeks acknowledged their request for him to defect to the APC, but opted to wait for the Court of Appeal judgment before making a final decision.
“The appellate judgment ended Governor Dauda Lawal’s stay in the Peoples Democratic Party, as he prioritised the interests of Zamfara State,” the statement concluded.
“He joined the All Progressives Congress to sustain the Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild mission.”
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