Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has formally received Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal and his supporters into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on behalf of President Bola Tinubu.
Welcoming the governor, VP Shettima said the end of insecurity in Nigeria is in sight, as President Tinubu is working to ensure peace across the country. He prayed for unity, progress, and peaceful coexistence, assuring that the President is doing his best to protect lives and property nationwide.
VP Shettima added that security challenges in Zamfara and other troubled states will be addressed, and that Governor Lawal’s entry into the APC will contribute to this effort.
He said opposition parties like the ADC, PDP, and others would struggle in Zamfara because the state’s major politicians are united.
He expressed full support for the Governor and commended the people of the state for their backing.
More Dividends
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, in his comments, said history had been made in Zamfara with the defection of the Governor to the APC.
“Today, there is no opposition in Zamfara State,” he said, while urging the Governor to carry everybody along.
He also advised the people of Zamfara to support Governor Lawal in order to bring about more development.
The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, who represented the President of the Senate at the occasion, said members of the National Assembly on the platform of APC were in total support of Governor Lawal’s defection to the party.
“The Governor will now be working together with other Governors to help address the problems of the state and further enhance development,” he said
Senator Barau stressed that security challenges are not peculiar to Zamfara or Nigeria, adding that the problem is surmountable.
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“The solution lies in collaboration and team work. The state Governor’s collaboration with other Governors and the federal government will enable him overcome present challenges. His joining the APC shows wisdom,” he added.
The Deputy Senate President urged the people of the State to vote for the APC in 2027 in order to reap more dividends of democracy.
Also, the Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, said Governors elected on the platform of the APC were happy to welcome Governor Lawal into their midst.
He thanked the people of the State for supporting the Governor at all times, just as he said, “It is a win-win situation for Zamfara. APC is a moving train and we are happy that the State has joined that train. All Governors of APC will support Governor Lawal to do more for this State.”
Outstanding Performance
APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, stated that Zamfara is now entirely an APC state, as all former governors of the state have assured him of their support for Governor Dauda Lawal.
He said he was impressed with the Governor’s performance, particularly in promoting development through massive infrastructural projects, including the construction of a new airport.
Prof. Yilwatda later handed over the APC flag and broom—the party’s symbol—to Governor Lawal, marking his formal entry into the party.
In his brief remarks, Governor Lawal thanked former governors, including Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawale and Senator Abdulazeez Yari, for their support and cooperation. He pledged to work for the success of the APC at all levels in next year’s general election, saying, “I will embrace all my predecessors, and I will work hard for the progress of Zamfara State.”
In their separate remarks, former governors Yari and Matawale pledged full support for Governor Lawal and President Tinubu in next year’s general election. Matawale specifically announced that, contrary to some reports, he will not contest for governorship in 2027; his only gubernatorial candidate is Governor Lawal.
