\n\nGovernor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a major political shift in Nigeria’s North-West region. The development was announced by his deputy, Mani Mallam Mummuni, who said the move followed consultations with political stakeholders in the state and supporters of the administration. 
According to the governor’s camp, the decision was influenced by the ongoing internal crisis within the PDP and the need to align with broader political forces to tackle Zamfara’s security and development challenges. Supporters argued that joining the ruling party would help strengthen cooperation with the federal government and advance policies tied to the national development agenda. 
The defection represents a significant blow to the PDP, as Lawal was one of the few governors elected under the party in northern Nigeria. Political analysts say the move could reshape political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, particularly in the North-West where party loyalties have increasingly shifted in recent months.
