Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has formally joined Nigeria’s ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), with the party announcing a high-profile reception in his honour.
The Zamfara APC chapter confirmed the arrangements in a statement issued by State Publicity Secretary Yusuf Idris in Gusau on Saturday. The event, scheduled for Tuesday, March 24, will be attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, who will represent President Bola Tinubu.
According to the statement, Shettima will be accompanied by the APC National Executive Committee members, former governors of Zamfara, and other major party stakeholders in the state. Additional APC governors, National Assembly members, and top party figures from across Nigeria are also expected.
The party said it has established various committees to ensure a seamless event and has formulated a strategy to mobilise supporters statewide. “The party has already strategised on how to mobilise supporters across the board in order to ensure a smooth and successful reception for the governor,” the statement noted.
Governor Lawal’s defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC marks a significant shift in Zamfara’s political landscape. The state has historically been a competitive battleground between the two parties. This move strengthens the APC’s position in the northwestern region ahead of future electoral cycles.
The APC statement concluded by urging members, supporters, and the public to turn out en masse for the reception, framing it as an opportunity to demonstrate unity behind the federal administration.
The formal induction of Governor Lawal underscores ongoing political realignments in Nigeria and consolidates the APC’s hold in a key state, potentially influencing political dynamics in Zamfara and the broader north ahead of the 2027 general elections.
