It is now official that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led government in Zamfara State has become the latest name in the growing list of sub-national administrations to join the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) in the country.
Confirmation of this unfolding scenario took place on Monday as the PDP’s flag was publicly pulled down at the Zamfra State Government House in Gusau, the State capital.
The sudden flag ripping off ceremony occurred shortly after the Deputy Governor, Mallam Mani Mummuni, announced his defection into the ruling APC on behalf of the Zamfara government. Mummuni, who is currently the acting Governor, was elected alongside Governor Dauda Lawal on the platform of the PDP in 2023.
Official information indicate that Governor Lawal is currently in Saudi Arabia on Lesser Hajj. Reports said the Acting Governor had announced at the State Executive Council meeting that PDP Stakeholders in Zamfara have agreed to join the APC.
It was also reliably gathered Mummuni later held a closed-door meeting with the State House of Assembly members at Government House, Gusau to further cement the arrangement on jumping ship to the APC.
Confirming that the announcement was on behalf of his principal in an official statement, the Acting Governor said Governor Lawal decided to leave the PDP and join the APC after extensive consultations with key stakeholders across the state.
According to him: “The decision was reached at a stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday at the Rescue Hall. Government House, Gusau, after a broad engagement process earlier initiated by the Governor to assess the political situation and chart the state’s forward direction.”
He further said, ‘Tthe decision was informed by the deepening internal crisis within the PDP and the need to build greater unity and consensus in addressing Zanfara State’s security and development challenges.”
Mummuni stated that the stakeholders overwhelmingly advised Governor Lawal to align with the ruling Party’s Renewed Hope development agenda in the interest of stability, progress, and the collective development of the state and the Nation, even as he urged supporters and political stakeholders across the state to commence their registration with the APC as the party opens its e-registration. with the aim of strengthening the progressive movement in Zamfara.
Similarly, the Director General, Media and Communications, Government House, Gusau, Salihu Anka, who confirmed that the entire cabinet of Governor Lawal has defected as announced by the Acting Governor, said there is no going back on their decision to dump the PDP for good and embrace APC as a viable option.
