- Safiu Kehinde
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has welcomed the defection of Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the development as a historic moment for the state.
NPO Reported that Lawal had alongside members of his cabinet announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC on Monday.
The defection was considered a huge win for the ruling party as Lawal was not only a staunch critic of the ruling party but also always at odds with his predecessor, Matawalle.
The governor had in the past accused the Minister of been responsible for sponsoring bandits’ activities across Zamfara.
Reacting to his defection in a statement issued on Monday, Matawalle expressed readiness to work with Lawal in tackling the insecurity challenge facing the state.
The Minister said that President Bola Tinubu had shown that politics is not war but art of building bridges.
“Today marks a historic moment in the political history of our state and our dear nation as we welcome a friend and brother, the Executive Governor of Zamfara State, His Excellency, Dauda Lawal, into our great party, the APC.
“Zamfara State now needs the collective commitment of all of us to confront and address our challenges, especially the insecurity, while working together to deliver the realization of the Renewed Hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“Governor Dauda is now part of a progressive family. Therefore, we warmly welcome him into this fold so that we can support him and work together with all our strengths to ensure a more secure, safe, and prosperous Zamfara State.
“His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has shown us that politics is not war; rather, it is the art of building bridges across rivers of difference.” He said.
Matawalle further described Lawal’s defection as a political reunion with his friend and brother.
He called for unity and renewed determination to ensure the APC emerge victorious in the 2027 general election.
“For me, this is a political reunion with my friend and brother. We are a family united by the shared belief that Nigeria can, and must, work for all citizens.
“To all members of our great party, we must now unite with renewed determination to ensure victory for our party in the 2027 elections.
“As a true progressive, I will support His Excellency, Dauda Lawal, in pursuing our collective vision for a more secure and prosperous Zamfara State.” He said.