The governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has refuted claims suggesting that he plans to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The governor emphasized that he has no plans to abandon the PDP for either the APC or the African Democratic Party (ADC), which has recently been embraced by the opposition coalition.
Governor Lawal made this statement on Wednesday, asserting that the narrative regarding his defection is merely a rumour.
“First of all, I’m pleased that you referred to it as a rumour that the APC, ADC, and other political parties are inviting me to join their ranks,” Governor Lawal remarked when questioned about the speculation.
“I have made it clear that I am a card-carrying member of the PDP and I remain committed to the PDP; I have no intention of leaving.
“Thus, what you have heard is just a rumour, and I am still with the PDP, having no plans to depart at this time.”
He dismissed the opposition forces within the state, asserting that he does not need to seek refuge in the APC to protect himself from anyone.
He noted that all the opposition forces were present in 2023, yet that did not prevent him from winning the governorship election in the state.
Governor Lawal affirmed that he does not fear opposition leaders in the state, such as former governors Sani Yerima and Bello Matawalle, stating that he intends to defeat them once more in the 2027 election.
He acknowledged the internal crisis within the PDP but mentioned that the party is actively working to resolve these issues, indicating that it is only a matter of time before stability is restored.
Regarding his relationship with President Bola Tinubu, Governor Lawal stated that he maintains a very good rapport with the president, despite their affiliation with opposing parties.
When asked if he would support the president during the election, the Zamfara governor replied, “Let’s see how events unfold; there is still time until 2027, with two years remaining. Therefore, I believe that politics should not be the primary focus at this moment; we should prioritize governance instead.”
