Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State has declared that his political future within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hinges squarely on the outcome of a pending Appeal Court judgment concerning the legality of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki’s leadership and the disputed Ibadan convention.
The governor made this position known during a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP convened at the Government House in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital. The meeting, according to his Special Adviser on Media, Public Enlightenment and Communication, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, drew participation from party stakeholders across the 14 local government areas of the state.
Kaura explained that the gathering was necessitated by the regulatory framework issued by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), which mandates political parties to conclude their congresses not later than 300 days before the 2027 general elections. In compliance with this timeline, parties are expected to finalise their internal processes by April or May.
He further disclosed that the PDP is presently entangled in multiple litigations at the national level, creating legal and political uncertainty. According to him, failure to proactively evaluate available political options could leave party members in a precarious position while rival interests consolidate advantage.
“The guidelines indicate that by April or May, all party congresses must be concluded. There are litigations surrounding the PDP at the national level. If we remain without exploring options, we may face uncertainty and others may take the credit,” Kaura stated.
The Appeal Court’s determination on the Ibadan convention, he emphasised, will be decisive in shaping whether Governor Lawal remains within the PDP fold. Stakeholder opinions, however, remain sharply divided: while some advocate alignment with the All Progressives Congress (APC), others are inclined toward the African Democratic Congress (ADC), and a further bloc proposes the formation of a new political platform.
In anticipation of the judicial outcome, a consultative committee has reportedly been constituted to engage party members across the state, with a final political decision to be taken upon the resolution of the appellate proceedings.
