The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has described himself as the ‘last man standing’, explaining that he made concerted efforts to remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and ensure the party overcame its challenges.
The Governor, however, explained that the Appeal Court ruling on Monday, which failed to validate the Ibadan National Convention of the PDP, effectively ended any chances of him remaining in the party.
Governor Lawal made the disclosure in a statement on Tuesday, by his spokesperson, Sulaiman Idris, where he justified his decision to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor cited the ongoing litigation and crisis within the PDP as primary reasons for his defection, adding that several efforts to achieve peace and out-of-court settlements proved futile.
He noted that he was the only governor seeking a second term who chose to stay with the PDP and hoped the party leaders would reconcile.
Lawal, however, submitted that since all peace efforts had failed, he had to move to the APC in the interest of the people of Zamfara.
“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.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has demonstrated a strong commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party. 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,” the statement read.
Describing Governor Lawal as “the last man standing in the PDP,” Idris stated that “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 recalled that after a series of meetings lastweek on the political situation, Lawal had informed stakeholders that he acknowledged their request to defect to the APC but would make a final decision after the appeal court judgment.
“The appellate judgment ended Governor Dauda Lawal’s stay in the Peoples Democratic Party, as he prioritised the interests of Zamfara state.
“He joined the All Progressives Congress to sustain the Zamfara Rescue and Rebuild mission,”the statement added.
Monday, 9th March, the Appeal Court affirmed the judgment of a federal high court which restrained the PDP from conducting the national convention held on November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan.
In its ruling, a three-member panel of the court dismissed an appeal filed by the PDP challenging the jurisdiction of the federal high court to entertain the suit.
Uchechukwu Onyemenam, who delivered the lead judgment, held that the PDP violated constitutional provisions guiding the conduct of a convention.
Onyemenam agreed that no valid notice of the convention was served on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) as required by law.
However, the Kabiru Turaki-led faction of the PDP has since rejected the judgment and directed its lawyers to take the matter to the Supreme Court.
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