The Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, has reportedly consulted key stakeholders over his political future following the ongoing crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Sources disclosed that the governor summoned an emergency meeting of some cabinet members and party stakeholders to deliberate on the way forward, especially as preparations begin ahead of the next electoral cycle.
The meeting, which was held on Friday night at the Rescue Hall inside the Government House in Gusau, was attended by the state party chairman, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Secretary to the State Government and some party elders.
According to a source, the governor informed stakeholders that the meeting was convened to discuss recent political developments, particularly the timetable released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which indicates that political activities will commence in April.
Although there had been months of speculation that the governor planned to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), including claims by some APC chieftains that he had reached out to party leaders in Abuja, the source said the emergency meeting clarified his position.
During the meeting, the governor reportedly stated that he intends to remain in the PDP despite the internal crisis, adding that he would await the outcome of ongoing appeals before making any final decision.
However, participants at the meeting were said to have unanimously advised him to leave the PDP, though they did not reach a consensus on which political party he should join.
While some stakeholders urged the governor to remain in the PDP in view of a recent court ruling affirming the Turaki-led executives as party leaders, others argued that he should defect to the APC, noting that all six governors in the North-West zone are members of the ruling party.
Another group reportedly suggested that the governor should consider joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC), arguing that the party appears to be gaining support nationally.
Although there has been no official statement from the Zamfara PDP chapter, a party stalwart, Kabir Amadu Mai Palace, disclosed that further consultations would be carried out at ward and local government levels.
Sources also indicated that after the Sallah (Eid al-Fitr) celebration, the governor is expected to make a public pronouncement following the work of a strategic committee to be set up to guide the next course of action.
