GUSAU — Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, has reaffirmed his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), declaring he will remain the “last man standing” despite a massive exodus of opposition governors to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
In an exclusive interview with New Telegraph, Lawal dismissed rumors of an imminent defection, stating he is not in a hurry to abandon the platform that brought him to power in 2023. His remarks come at a critical time for the PDP, which has seen eight of its governors—including high-profile first-termers—defect to the APC and Accord Party.
“I will remain in PDP till the last day,” Lawal stated. “I’m not going to betray my party because I got elected on its platform. At least I’ve done my best. I didn’t disappoint anybody. I went from the start to the finishing line.”
The Governor, however, outlined a singular condition for leaving: the total collapse of the party. He noted that he would only seek an alternative platform if the PDP becomes “totally incapacitated” and unable to field candidates for the 2027 general elections.
In a rare move for a Nigerian politician, Lawal suggested that if the PDP ceased to exist, he would prefer to run as an independent candidate, provided the legal framework allows. He emphasized that any future political transition would only occur after extensive consultation with his local constituency.
Lawal’s stance distinguishes him as the only first-term governor of PDP extraction who has not joined the recent wave of defections. Despite the shrinking ranks of the opposition, he maintained that there is “nothing to worry about,” asserting that his focus remains on governance rather than political maneuvering.
The PDP has faced significant internal turmoil recently, losing governors across the South-South, South-East, and North-Central regions. Analysts suggest Lawal’s loyalty may serve as a stabilizing force for the party’s remnants as they look toward the 2027 electoral cycle.
