…PDP now with 2 govs, LP 1, APGA 1, Accord 1
The number of governors on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has risen to 31 following the defection of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, on Monday.
Lawal defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, citing the lingering internal crisis within the opposition party.
His defection was confirmed in a statement by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka, who said the decision followed wide consultations with party leaders, elders and supporters across Zamfara State.
“The Government and PDP family of Zamfara State wish to formally inform the general public of an important political development following extensive consultations with stakeholders, political leaders, elders, and supporters across the State.
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“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, has decided to formally defect from the PDP to the APC.
“This decision was reached after wide consultations with political stakeholders and supporters, particularly in view of the prolonged internal crisis, leadership disagreements and unresolved structural challenges within the PDP at both the national and state levels.
“These challenges have continued to create uncertainty and distractions that could hinder effective governance and the delivery of democratic dividends to the people of Zamfara State,” the statement read.
Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, also confirmed the defection during a meeting with political stakeholders in Gusau, the state capital.
Mummuni said the move followed a series of consultations by the governor and reflects his alignment with the federal government, aimed at strengthening collaboration on security, development and governance initiatives in the state.
BusinessDay reports that the recent wave of defections involving PDP governors, particularly those serving their first term, is largely aimed at strengthening their political positions ahead of the party’s primaries leading to the 2027 general elections.
With Lawal’s defection, the APC now controls 31 states. The governors in the APC fold include: Hyacinth Alia (Benue), Caleb Mutfwang (Plateau), AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq (Kwara), Abdullahi Sule (Nasarawa), Mohammed Umar Bago (Niger), Usman Ahmed Ododo (Kogi), Dauda Lawal (Zamfara), Abba Kabir Yusuf (Kano), Umaru Radda (Katsina), Nasir Idris (Kebbi), Uba Sani (Kaduna), and Ahmad Aliyu (Sokoto).
Others are Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Babagana Umara Zulum (Borno), Bassey Otu (Cross River), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta), Francis Nwifuru (Ebonyi), Monday Okpebholo (Edo), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Peter Mbah (Enugu), Inuwa Yahaya (Gombe), Hope Uzodinma (Imo), Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Babajide Sanwo-Olu (Lagos), Dapo Abiodun (Ogun), Lucky Aiyedatiwa (Ondo), Siminalayi Fubara (Rivers), Agbu Kefas (Taraba), and Mai Mala Buni (Yobe).
Opposition strength dwindles
Following the latest development, the PDP is left with only two governors; Bala Mohammed (Bauchi), who chairs the PDP Governors’ Forum and is serving his second term, and Seyi Makinde (Oyo), also in his second term, leading a faction of the party loyal to him.
Similarly, the Labour Party (LP) has just one governor, Alex Otti (Abia), who is serving his first term in office.
The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) also has a single governor, Charles Soludo (Anambra).
Meanwhile, the Accord controls one state through Ademola Adeleke (Osun), who is seeking re-election in the August 2026 governorship poll on the platform of the party.
Read also: Zamfara gov announces defection from PDP to APC
PDP flags removed from Zamfara Government House
Meanwhile, the flags of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) were on Monday pulled down at the Zamfara State Government House in Gusau, following the announcement that the state governor, Dauda Lawal, had defected to the APC.
Zamfara State Deputy Governor, Mani Malam Mummuni, announced the decision during a meeting with political stakeholders in the state capital.
Though Governor Lawal is said to be currently in Saudi Arabia, performing the Lesser Hajj and had earlier handed over governance to Mummuni in an acting capacity.
Earlier during a State Executive Council meeting in Gusau, the acting governor informed members that PDP stakeholders in Zamfara had agreed to join the APC.
Sources at the Government House said Mummuni later held a closed-door meeting with members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly shortly after the announcement.
After the announcement, supporters of the state government and party members had pulled down all the flags at the Government House, signalling that Zamfara is now under the control of the APC.
