Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has formally left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to join the All Progressives Congress (APC), strengthening his ties with the party in power at the federal level.
The defection, confirmed on Monday, March 9, 2026, represents a major political shift in the North‑West ahead of the 2027 elections.
Lawal’s move ends months of speculation about his political alignment, following internal tensions within the PDP.
Until now, he was the only PDP governor in the North‑West geopolitical zone.
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The change was formalized at the Zamfara State Government House, where officials symbolically removed the PDP flag, signaling the governor’s new allegiance.
Observers say the switch reflects Lawal’s intention to enhance cooperation with the federal government on critical issues such as security, infrastructure, and development.
Political analysts describe the defection as part of a broader pattern of PDP leaders moving to the APC amid ongoing leadership and factional challenges within the opposition.
Lawal, a former banker born in 1965, won the governorship in 2023, defeating the APC incumbent in what was considered a significant political upset.
The move consolidates the APC’s presence among state governors and adds to the challenges facing the PDP as it prepares for the 2027 general elections.