Matawalle drops gov ambition as Lawal joins APC

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Tuesday, announced that he would not contest the 2027 governorship election to support Governor Dauda Lawal’s second-term bid.

The minister, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, was ousted from power in 2023 by Lawal, formerly of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The declaration was made at the official reception of Lawal into the APC, after his recent dumping of the PDP.

At the event were Vice President Kashim Shettima, former governors, including Abdulaziz Yari, leaders of the APC and other chieftains of the party in Zamfara State.

Speaking at the reception ceremony, Matawalle said, “I have withdrawn my intention to contest for the governorship election, and I will wholeheartedly help my brother Governor Dauda Lawal to be reelected in 2027.”

Addressing the crowd at the event, Vice President Shettima reaffirmed the commitment of the Federal Government to ending security challenges in Zamfara State.

Shettima assured that the Federal Government would deploy adequate security personnel and equipment to combat banditry effectively.

He also pledged full support for the governor’s initiatives to move the state forward.

He called on residents to re-elect President Bola Tinubu and the Zamfara governor in the 2027 general election.

“The Federal Government will do everything humanly possible to get rid of the marauding bandits who have been terrorising the people of the state.

“We will give necessary assistance and support to Governor Dauda Lawal to continue with the good work he has started.

“I am calling on the good people of the state to re-elect President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal in the 2027 general elections,” he said.

Lawal, speaking on his defection to the APC, said the change of political platform would not affect his governance efforts.

He thanked stakeholders of both parties for their support and assured inclusivity in his administration.

He said, “I am highly elated to be a member of the All Progressives Congress, and I will continue to work harder for the rapid progress of our dear state.

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“I want to use this opportunity to thank both the PDP supporters who have joined me to defect to the APC and also the APC members who have accepted our defection.

“I promise to give equal treatment to all party members for the betterment of our dear state,” he said.

Lawal, on March 9, officially dumped the PDP, citing recurring leadership crisis.