The candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the recently concluded Kaura Namoda South Constituency by-election in Zamfara State, Mohammed Lawal, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lawal, who lost the election to APC’s Kamilu Sa’idu, made his announcement on Saturday during a consultation meeting for Zamfara Central organized by the APC support group, Yazeed Project, held in Gusau, the state capital.
Explaining his decision, Lawal said he felt abandoned by the PDP after the by-election despite his past contributions to the party’s electoral victories.
“What influenced my decision to leave the PDP is personal. I am convinced that Governor Dauda Lawal has no feeling for the majority of people who worked day and night for his victory,” he stated.
“I decided to join the APC because of their good intention and vision that convinced me.”
He expressed faith in the APC leadership under the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, former governor Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, and the state party chairman, Tukur Danfulani, adding that the party’s structure would continue to grow stronger under their guidance.
“I have confidence that the APC will not neglect me the way PDP did after I spent a lot from my pocket to support the party’s victory in the 2023 governorship election,” Mr. Lawal added.
Receiving him into the party, State APC Chairman Tukur Danfulani, represented by the party’s publicity secretary, Yusuf Idris, described Lawal’s defection as a “great achievement” for the APC.
“On behalf of the APC leadership in the state, particularly the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, we are happy today to welcome Mohammed Lawal to the APC,” Idris said.
He noted that the former PDP candidate recognized the massive support the APC received during the by-election and understood the clear direction of the electorate in the constituency.
“The reasons he gave were that during the just concluded by-election, he noticed that people of the area voted APC massively. He said the election was free and fair, and though he was a top contender, he acknowledged that it showed the political direction of the electorate in the state.”
Idris also revealed that more influential political figures, including lawmakers, local government chairmen, and party officials, would soon join the APC.
“This is just the beginning. Many of the people leaders starting from the state House of Assembly members, local government chairmen, party officials, and others are coming to the APC. We are going to receive them in our folds,” he said.
What you should know
Mohammed Lawal, a former PDP candidate in Zamfara, defected to the APC after accusing the PDP of neglect. He praised the APC leadership and expressed confidence in its vision.
His defection signals growing political shifts in the state, with more politicians reportedly planning to join the ruling party.
