|By Chinwendu Nwani
Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal is facing an escalating political crisis as more key figures abandon the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC), weakening his hold ahead of the 2027 general election.
Multiple insiders in Government House, Gusau, confirmed that the governor has scheduled a series of high-level consultations in Abuja in a desperate bid to salvage control of the ruling party and negotiate political protection as defections intensify.
On Tuesday, Hon. Maharazu Salisu, representing Maradun II Constituency in the State House of Assembly, officially dumped the PDP for the APC at the party’s state secretariat in Gusau. He was joined by five PDP ward leaders — a move analysts describe as another major blow to Lawal’s already shrinking influence.
The latest defections follow last week’s dramatic exit of a PDP candidate reportedly backed by Lawal with over ₦4 billion during a by-election. The candidate cited poor performance and rising public discontent — an indication of a collapsing support base.
The APC now controls 13 out of 24 Assembly seats, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that seven more PDP lawmakers are on the verge of crossing over — a potential scenario that could leave the governor with only four loyal lawmakers and expose him to impeachment threats.
Sources revealed that Lawal held a tense late-night meeting with lawmakers on Monday, where he reportedly admitted he might “explore international options” if forced out — hinting at properties allegedly owned in London, Dubai, the United States and Germany.
Meanwhile, the Northern APC Stakeholders Forum has warned the APC leadership against admitting Lawal, describing his record as a liability rather than an asset.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has failed in critical areas of governance — security, infrastructure and welfare. Welcoming him into the APC would be counterproductive,” the forum’s National Coordinator, Alhaji Mubarak Liman, said in a statement.
Political observers say the wave of high-profile defections confirms Lawal’s fast-eroding popularity and growing grassroots rebellion less than two years into his tenure.
