PDP

Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has officially left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The development was announced on Monday through a statement issued by the governor’s media aide, Nuhu Anka. He explained that the decision came after the governor held consultations with political leaders, elders and supporters across the 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.

“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 Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress,” the statement read.

Anka said the governor’s move was largely influenced by the internal problems facing the PDP at both national and state levels.

“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 added.

The governor’s spokesman also stated that Lawal remains focused on addressing security issues and promoting development in the North-West state.

Anka explained that the governor believed it was necessary to join a platform that offers better unity and stronger collaboration with the Federal Government.

He said the governor chose to “align with a political platform that provides greater unity, stability, and stronger cooperation with the Federal Government for the benefit of the people.”

The statement also revealed that the final decision followed a meeting held at the Government House in Gusau. The meeting involved senior government officials and key political stakeholders. It was coordinated by the Deputy Governor.

“The final deliberation leading to this historic decision was held at the Government House in Gusau under the coordination and leadership of the Deputy Governor, alongside senior government officials and key political stakeholders,” the statement said.

According to Anka, the governor also thanked members of the PDP for their support during his time in the party. However, he said the prevailing political situation made the change necessary.

“By joining the APC, the Governor reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening unity, improving security, accelerating development, and ensuring that Zamfara State benefits fully from stronger collaboration with the Federal Government,” it added.

Governor Lawal is among several governors expected to contest for re-election in the 2027 general elections.

His defection came shortly after a Court of Appeal ruling on Monday. The court upheld an earlier order that restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission from recognising the outcome of the PDP national convention held in Ibadan.

With Lawal’s move, the number of APC governors in Nigeria has now risen to 31.

By Zayyad I. Muhammad

Nigeria’s Fourth Republic, which commenced in 1999, introduced a distinctive political culture that has since become entrenched in the nation’s democratic practice. Governors automatically emerge as leaders of their political parties in their respective states.

Although this arrangement is not expressly written into the 1999 Constitution or party constitutions as a rigid rule, it has evolved into an accepted political convention. In practical terms, once a governor belongs to a political party, he becomes the undisputed leader of that party in the state.

This “default” leadership status flows from the enormous constitutional powers, financial control, and political influence vested in state governors. Under the 1999 Constitution, governors are the chief executives of their states, control significant public resources, influence appointments, and play central roles in policy direction. These powers naturally position them as dominant actors within the political structure of their states. Political parties, being vehicles for acquiring and exercising power, inevitably gravitate toward the governor as their rallying point.

Critics often argue that this arrangement departs from earlier republican experiences. During Nigeria’s First, Second, and even Third Republics, governors and presidents were not automatically regarded as the formal leaders of their parties at the state or national levels. Party structures were often more independent, with clearer institutional separation between party leadership and executive office holders. However, Nigeria’s political system has evolved significantly since then. The current democratic framework places far greater burden, administrative authority, fiscal control, and political leverage in the hands of governors than was previously the case. It’s about the position!

The emergence of governors as de facto party leaders is not accidental but a result of political evolution shaped by key realities. The 1999 Constitution centralises executive authority in governors, making them the most powerful figures in their states. They also control critical political resources, finances, networks, appointments, and patronage, which are essential for party survival and electoral success. In a competitive electoral environment, incumbency provides structure, visibility, and mobilisation strength that few others can match.

Above all, political parties require unified command; without clear leadership at the state level, factionalism and instability can easily arise.

Imagine the chaos and unhealthy rivalry that could engulf a political party if a sitting governor chose to remain indifferent to party affairs. Competing factions would struggle for supremacy. Conflicting directives could weaken party cohesion. Such fragmentation could easily cost the party elections and governance effectiveness.

Furthermore, when it comes to interfacing between the executive arm at the federal level and party structures within the states, particularly in matters relating to appointments, political negotiations, federal-state collaboration, and reward systems, the governor’s role becomes indispensable. Governors serve as the bridge between national party leadership and grassroots political actors. In fact, Presidents often rely on Governors to win a state 

Just as the President functions as the leader of his party at the national level, governors serving as party leaders in their states create symmetry within the political order. This structure promotes stability, clarity of authority, strategic coordination, and internal discipline.

It is therefore not surprising that across Nigeria’s 21 registered political parties, this practice is widely accepted. Once a governor joins a party, he naturally assumes leadership of that party in the state, not necessarily by proclamation, but by political reality.

While debates may continue about whether this system strengthens internal party democracy or concentrates excessive influence in one individual, its practical utility in maintaining order, direction, and electoral viability cannot be ignored.

The emergence of governors as party leaders in their states reflects the reality on the ground, political necessity, and democratic evolution in Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

Zayyad I. Muhammad writes from Abuja via zaymohd@yahoo.com.

By Anwar Usman

The Peoples Democratic Party has criticised Governor Ahmadu Fintiri’s defection to the All Progressives Congress, describing his exit as an act of cowardice that undermines the principles of multi-party system of government in Nigeria.

Tanimu Turaki (SAN)-led PDP National Working Committee, through its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, on Friday reminded Fintiri that history and posterity serve as the ultimate and impartial judges of human actions, constantly recording both deeds and omissions.

After weeks of speculation, Fintiri formally left the PDP and joined the ruling All Progressives Congress on Friday.

In response, the Peoples Democratic Party stated that Fintiri’s decision to leave a platform that supported his political journey through multiple election cycles over minor inconveniences clearly shows unrestrained cowardice rather than the conduct of a principled politician.

The party stated that “We are aware of the official announcement of the long-speculated defection of His Excellency, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, from our party to the All Progressives Congress, today via a broadcast in Adamawa State.

“This move, though long speculated, had attracted several rebuttals from the governor himself, even as recently as last week, after the presidential visit to Adamawa. By this announcement, the governor himself has confirmed what hitherto was a rumour, by aligning with the ruling party, a move he says is in the developmental interest of his state.

“While we acknowledge that this move is well within Fintiri’s legal rights, it is clearly against political principles and morality, a challenge to multi-party democracy and democratic consolidation.

The PDP urged its members in Adamawa State to accept what it described as a sad reality with composure.

The party further reiterated that “They should remain resolute in the hope that the rebirth movement of our party is on course and will certainly reposition our party back to winning ways”.

By Kamal Alkasim

The PDP candidate’s manifesto during his campaign focused on community welfare, women’s empowerment, improved healthcare services, and enhanced education opportunities for children.

The Premium Times reported that the PDP defeated its contender from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Yahaya Shehu, who scored 17,788 votes.

Declaring Mr Kasim as the winner, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Returning Officer, Philip Akpen, said the election was peaceful and smooth.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Mohammed Kasim, has won the Gwagwalada Area Council chairmanship in the local government elections held across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on Sunday.

Mr Kashim polled 22,165 votes to defeat his rivals in the election.

Mr Kasim’s manifesto during his campaign focused on community welfare, women’s empowerment, improved healthcare services, and enhanced education opportunities for children.

The elections were in two categories: the chairmanship and the councillorship.

PDP pulled through in the election at a time it is facing its most devastating crisis, which has led to division in its national leadership and loss of governors and lawmakers elected on its platform to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and its top figures, such as the former vice president, Atiku Abubakar, to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Although the outcome of the local election does not necessarily mirror the PDP’s popularity at the national level, it is a significant victory for the party in a section of Nigeria’s capital, reflecting the country’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious composition.

It may also point to the fact that APC’s enhanced dominance, driven by high-profile defections from opposition parties to its fold in the last year, may not have taken strong hold in many local areas of the country.

INEC conducted the local elections across the six council areas of the FCT, including Gwagwalada, on Saturday. The rest are the Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC), Abaji, Kwali, Abaji and Kuje.

Kamal Alkasim

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has declared two All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates as winners of Saturday’s by-elections in Rivers state.

TheCable reported that the by-elections were conducted to fill vacant seats in the state house of assembly — Ahoada East constituency II and Khana constituency II.

Napoleon Ukalikpe of APC was declared the winner of Ahoada East constituency II with 3,980 votes, while his closest challenger, Godstime Egor of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), scored 38 votes.

For the Khana constituency II seat, Bulabari Henrietta Loolo of APC won the poll with 7,647 votes, while Anthony Ndor of Zenith Labour Party (ZLP) garnered 47 votes.

Ahoada East constituency II seat became vacant following the resignation of Ehie Edison, who is now the chief of staff (CoS) to Siminalayi Fubara, governor of Rivers state.

Dinebari Loolo’s death in September 2023 created the vacancy for the Khana constituency II seat in the Rivers House of Assembly.

TheCable observed that the African Democratic Congress (ADC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the Labour Party (LP) were absent from the ballot sheets for the by-elections.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

A Federal High Court in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has dissolved the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under Kabiru Tanimu Turaki.

The court, presided over by Justice Uche Agomoh, also voided a major congress the party planned to hold.

Furthermore, the court recognized the caretaker leadership faction led by Mohammed Abdulrahman as the party’s legitimate leadership. This faction is reported to enjoy the support of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, pending the conduct of a proper party congress.

However, the Tanimu Turaki faction has vowed to appeal the judgment.

“We have contacted our lawyers to explore all legitimate avenues to appeal and protect our position,” said Ini Ememobong, the publicity secretary for the faction’s executive committee.

He added that despite the court’s ruling, the Turaki-led leadership remains valid in their view.

By Ibrahim Yunusa

Plateau State Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, has officially resigned from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing the need for purposeful leadership, clarity of direction, and improved service delivery.

In a letter dated December 29, addressed to the Chairman of the PDP in Ampang West Ward, Mangu Local Government Area, Governor Mutfwang expressed that the current political reality necessitated a shift in platform.

He wrote: “Given the realities of the moment and guided by my commitment to purposeful leadership, clarity of direction, and service delivery, I am compelled to seek an alternative political platform.”

Rumours of the governor’s potential defection had been circulated, with reports suggesting he had been in talks with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

His official exit from the PDP appears to confirm those earlier speculations.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has criticised the Federal Government over what it described as poor public communication surrounding reported United States military strikes against terrorists in parts of northwest Nigeria.

The opposition party urged the Tinubu administration to adopt a more proactive and transparent method of addressing sensitive national security matters.

Reports had earlier emerged that on Christmas Day, December 25, 2025, former United States President Donald Trump announced that American forces carried out what he called “numerous precise strikes” against terrorist elements in northwest Nigeria. He claimed that the targets were militants responsible for attacks on Christians in the region.

Trump stated that the operation took place under his authority as Commander-in-Chief. He said the strikes focused on ISIS-linked fighters who have operated for years in areas affected by violence and insecurity.

According to him, the militants had been “viciously killing, primarily innocent Christians, at levels not seen for many years, and even centuries.” He also said he had earlier warned the groups to halt the killings or face consequences.

The Nigerian government later acknowledged that strikes had taken place in parts of northern Nigeria through the Minister of Foreign Affairs. Authorities, however, did not disclose details about the operation or clarify the level of Nigeria’s involvement.

In a statement issued on Friday, December 26, 2025, by its National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the PDP said Nigerians first became aware of the reported operation through verified social media accounts linked to Trump and other American officials. The party said this happened long before any formal reaction came from Nigerian authorities.

The party noted that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs only released what it described as a “vague statement” several hours later. The statement, according to the PDP, merely offered passive confirmation that Nigeria was aware of and cooperated in the operation.

“While international cooperation in the fight against high crimes like terrorism is very much appreciated, the Peoples Democratic Party is deeply concerned about a communication structure where foreign powers break the news of security operations in our country before our government does,” the statement read.

The PDP warned that such an “inverted communication approach” does not protect the interests of Nigeria or its citizens. The party referred to reports that the United States military had in the past entered Nigerian territory and carried out operations without the prior consent or knowledge of Nigerian authorities.

The opposition party said the Federal Government ought to have taken the lead in informing the public about the operation. It added that such an approach would have helped in properly sensitising Nigerians instead of waiting to confirm information that was already circulating widely.

“The government should not be in a position of merely reacting to foreign announcements on security operations within its territory, unless it was taken unawares like the rest of the citizens,” the party stated.

By Sabiu Abdullahi

The Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, has explained why it invited the two rival factions of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to a meeting amid the leadership dispute within the party.

The Commission stepped into the internal crisis after summoning representatives of both camps to its national headquarters in Abuja on Friday. The intervention followed growing tension within the opposition party.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, said the decision became necessary after the electoral body received contradictory letters from the factions involved in the dispute. He noted that the conflicting communications made it important for the Commission to hear directly from all sides.

According to Amupitan, the meeting was intended to provide a platform for dialogue and clarity ahead of future electoral activities.

“We felt that by rubbing minds together, it’ll be a good opportunity for us to forge the way forward concerning the elections,” Amupitan said.

He also stressed that INEC remains guided strictly by existing laws in carrying out its duties.

“Actually, INEC sits on the tripod of three legal regimes, the Constitution, the Electoral Act and the regulations that have been made,” he said.

Amupitan further assured that the Commission would act within the limits of the law in addressing the situation.

“So we are determined to ensure that we follow the provisions of the various laws, the Constitution, and the regulations that we have made.”

The PDP has been grappling with internal disagreements, which have raised concerns about its preparedness for forthcoming elections. INEC’s move is seen as an effort to ensure order and compliance with electoral regulations as political activities intensify nationwide.

By Uzair Adam

The governor of Zamfara State has intensified efforts to secure major political concessions from the federal government as part of conditions for his planned defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Sources familiar with the development said the governor is seeking full control of the APC structure in Zamfara ahead of his anticipated move from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling party.

He was said to have held a strategic meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Paris, France, alongside the governors of Enugu and Taraba states.

At the meeting, he reportedly expressed willingness to join the APC if his demands were met.

The Paris meeting, held months ago at the Peninsula Hotel, was described as a turning point, prompting the governor to return home and tighten his conditions for defection.

Insiders alleged that he has consistently pressed the Presidency to remove the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and hand over the APC structure in Zamfara to him as part of the deal.

The resignation of Mohammed Badaru as Minister of Defence was said to have renewed the governor’s push, with reports suggesting he urged the Presidency to act swiftly in easing Matawalle out of the cabinet.

Political analysts say the governor’s demands reflect his desire to secure full influence within the APC if he eventually joins the party.

There are also claims that the governor is receiving backing from certain security quarters to facilitate reports capable of weakening Matawalle’s standing in government.

Sources alleged that once the minister is removed, the governor plans to mobilise his PDP structure and loyalists into the APC to consolidate power ahead of the 2027 elections.

Observers note that the governor sees Matawalle as a major obstacle to his political ambition, especially within the northwest.

Matawalle has recently gained recognition for key security interventions, including the rescue of abducted students in Kebbi and efforts to restore peace in parts of Sokoto and Zamfara.

The unfolding power struggle now signals a potentially significant realignment in Zamfara and the wider northwest as both figures compete for control, influence, and relevance ahead of future elections.