Vice President Kashim Shettima on Tuesday led a high-level delegation to formally welcome Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a significant political realignment in the northwestern state. The ceremonial reception at the Trade Fair Complex in Gusau, attended by thousands, halted activities in the state capital and featured a cross-section of national political figures.
The event underscored the APC’s consolidation of power in Zamfara. Governor Lawal’s defection from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was witnessed by at least ten state governors, including Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Uba Sani (Kaduna), and Dapo Abiodun (Ogun). Top federal legislators such as Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin and House Speaker Tajuddeen Abbas were also present, along with APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and several ministers.
Addressing the crowd, Vice President Shettima expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu’s administration would overcome Nigeria’s security challenges, particularly in Zamfara. He asserted that Governor Lawal’s entry into the APC would strengthen efforts to address insecurity and enhance stability through unified political leadership. Shettima also downplayed the electoral prospects of opposition parties like the PDP and African Democratic Congress (ADC), suggesting their influence would wane following this alignment.
Hope Uzodinma, Chairman of the APC Governors Forum, described the development as a “win-win” for the state and the party, stating, “APC is a moving train, and we are happy that Zamfara has joined that train.” Governor Lawal, in his remarks, pledged inclusive governance committed to fairness, justice, and development for Zamfara’s residents. His assurance was backed by the attendance of former Zamfara governors—Abdulaziz Yari, Muhammad Bello Matawalle, and Mahmuda Shinkafi—who all declared support for the governor and the APC.
The large turnout of incumbent and former leaders highlights the defection’s national importance. Analysts view the unification of Zamfara’s political elites under the APC banner as a strategic move that could reshape the state’s political landscape, consolidating the ruling party’s dominance ahead of future electoral cycles. The ceremony not only celebrated a party switch but signaled a broader effort to unify regional leadership behind the federal government’s agenda.
