A youth coalition under the banner of the Zamfara APC Integrity Network (ZAIN) has strongly rejected the speculated defection of Governor Dauda Lawal from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing him as a political liability with a trail of poor governance.
In a statement signed by its president, Comrade Murtala Sani Gummi, and made available to journalists in Gusau on Monday, the group said it had credible intelligence suggesting that Governor Lawal was lobbying to join the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections in a bid to realign with the centre and retain political relevance.
The group, however, warned that such a move would backfire, noting that the APC in Zamfara and across Nigeria “cannot afford to inherit a non-performing politician whose leadership has worsened the socio-economic conditions of Zamfara people”.
“We want to make it categorically clear that Governor Dauda Lawal is not welcome in the APC. He is a huge liability, and any attempt to accept him into the party will damage our chances in 2027. Zamfara has suffered under his administration. The streets are not safe, civil servants are groaning, and there’s no tangible infrastructure to speak of,” Gummi said.
The group described Lawal’s rumoured defection as a desperate political move “designed to mask his failures and ride on President Tinubu’s growing popularity in the North”.
“Whereas President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has shown strong leadership, especially with the gradual stabilisation of the economy and renewed military operations in the North-West, Governor Dauda Lawal’s performance has been abysmal in all ramifications,” the statement added.
ZAIN alleged that under Governor Lawal’s watch, insecurity has escalated, salaries are delayed, and government institutions have weakened.
“What Zamfara needs is visionary leadership — not recycled politicians jumping from party to party for personal survival. APC is rebuilding its structures, and we cannot afford to dilute that progress with someone whose record in office has been marked by blame games and inertia,” Gummi added.
The group urged the national leadership of the APC not to entertain the idea of accepting Lawal into the party, cautioning that such a move would dampen youth mobilisation efforts in the state.
“We are already building strong grassroots structures across all 14 local governments in Zamfara to ensure APC’s victory in 2027. Bringing Dauda Lawal into our fold will discourage the young people who believe in the President’s vision but reject failure at the local level,” Gummi added.
The group further noted that the APC youth wing in Zamfara is committed to supporting credible candidates who can align with the performance of President Tinubu and deliver real dividends of democracy.
“President Tinubu is working. The projects are visible. But Governor Lawal has no track record to show. His defection will be viewed as an opportunistic ploy and must be resisted.”
The group reaffirmed its loyalty to the APC and its determination to defend the party’s integrity in Zamfara State.
“As youths, we have the numbers, the energy, and the will. We will not allow anyone to hijack our structure and create division within the fold. The APC of 2025 is not a dumping ground for underperforming politicians.”
