Zamfara Governor to Matawalle: I Won’t Play Hide-and-Seek with My Party

Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has categorically denied rumours of a planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), reaffirming his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—the party that brought him to power in the 2023 elections.

This clarification follows a public appeal by Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara governor Bello Matawalle, who had urged Lawal to defect to the APC during a Sallah visit with supporters in Maradun.

In a phone interview with The PUNCH, Lawal’s Special Assistant on Media and Communications, Mustafa Kaura, dismissed the rumours as baseless.

“There is no iota of truth in this. Governor Dauda Lawal remains fully committed to the PDP. He’s not playing any political games,” Kaura stated. “He believes in God, and whatever is destined to happen will happen—regardless of political party.”

Matawalle had extended what he called a friendly invitation, encouraging Lawal to join “the party of peace, progress, and development.” Speaking through his former Commissioner for Information, Alhaji Ibrahim Dosara, the minister described the APC as Nigeria’s leading platform for national transformation.

“Lawal should stop playing hide-and-seek and come join us in the APC,” Matawalle said, assuring that there were no personal grievances and that Lawal would be warmly received.

Matawalle also called on Lawal to back his massive federal allocations with visible development across Zamfara. He praised President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, especially in restoring security and pushing economic reforms.

But Lawal is standing his ground. Despite the mounting political pressure, he has drawn a clear line, choosing to stay with the PDP as realignments continue ahead of the 2027 elections.

For now, Governor Lawal appears unfazed by opposition overtures—signalling that his loyalty isn’t up for negotiation.