Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has explained that a recent decision by the Court of Appeal regarding the ongoing crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was a major factor in his decision to leave the party and join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lawal, who had been a loyal member of the PDP, said that the continuous internal disputes and legal battles within the party made it increasingly difficult for him to stay, despite his efforts to bring party members together.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, the governor explained that the Court of Appeal’s judgment on the PDP national convention marked the end of his long association with the party.
Before making the move, Lawal consulted widely with political leaders and stakeholders in Zamfara State to ensure his decision was in the best interest of the state.
According to the statement, the decision to join the APC was made after careful consideration of the ongoing legal challenges facing the PDP and the impact these challenges could have on governance and elections.
“Governor Lawal joined the All Progressives Congress following consultations with stakeholders, amid the ongoing legal challenges faced by the PDP,” the statement said.
The statement emphasized that the governor had remained committed to the PDP and had worked tirelessly to reconcile different factions within the party.
His goal had been to create unity and prepare the party for future elections. Unfortunately, these efforts failed, and the legal disputes continued, causing uncertainty for the party’s leadership and its members.
Lawal’s spokesperson described him as “the last man standing” among PDP governors seeking a second term. He said the governor had stayed in the party longer than others, hoping that party leaders would act responsibly to resolve the crisis.
“Over the past few weeks, Governor Lawal held several meetings with political stakeholders. They requested that he join the APC, but he said he would only make a final decision after the Court of Appeal issued its judgment,” Idris added.
The appellate court had recently upheld a ruling from the Federal High Court, which stopped the PDP from holding its national convention.
The court dismissed an appeal by a faction led by Taminu Turaki, which had claimed leadership of the party following the Ibadan convention that elected members of the National Working Committee (NWC). The court also imposed a cost of N2 million on Turaki and other members of his faction.
After the ruling, the Turaki-led faction said it would take the matter to the Supreme Court to challenge the decision.
Governor Lawal’s move to the APC, according to his spokesperson, is intended to maintain stability and continuity in Zamfara State, particularly with his “Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild” program.
The decision reflects the governor’s focus on governance and the welfare of the people rather than the internal conflicts of his former party.
