By BANNERNEWS Reporter, Gusau
Zamfara State came to a near standstill on Tuesday as Vice President Kashim Shettima led a high-powered delegation of governors and party leaders to formally receive Governor Dauda Lawal into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The grand reception, held at the Trade Fair Complex along Gusau’s eastern bypass, drew thousands of supporters, political stakeholders, and dignitaries from across the country, marking a major political realignment in the North-West state.
A statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, said the Vice President arrived via the newly constructed Gusau International Airport before proceeding to the venue of the event.
Among the governors present were Umar Namadi, Abba Kabir Yusuf, Uba Sani, Caleb Muftwang, Dapo Abiodun, Ahmad Aliyu, Ahmadu Fintiri, Dikko Radda, Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya, and Hope Uzodinma.
Also in attendance were the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, alongside ministers and other party chieftains.
Speaking on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Shettima expressed optimism that Zamfara would soon overcome its security and developmental challenges, describing Lawal’s defection as a major boost to national unity and stability.
He assured Nigerians that the administration of President Tinubu was working tirelessly to restore peace across troubled regions, noting that the end of insecurity was gradually coming into view.
“With this development, our party grows stronger and more united. We are closing ranks to confront insecurity and ensure progress,” the Vice President said, while praying for unity and peaceful coexistence nationwide.
Shettima also declared that opposition parties would find it difficult to gain ground in Zamfara, given what he described as the growing cohesion among the state’s political actors.
In his remarks, Governor Uzodinma, chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, described Lawal’s entry into the APC as a “win-win” for the state, pledging the full backing of APC governors to support governance and development efforts.
Delivering a goodwill message from the Senate, Barau Jibrin said lawmakers across the country endorsed Lawal’s decision, describing the governor as a leader who prioritises the collective interest of his people.
He noted that insecurity in the North-West mirrors global challenges seen in parts of Africa and the Middle East, stressing the need for unified action to tackle the menace.
Speaker Abbas described the development as an answered prayer, saying Zamfara had effectively become a one-party state, with political leaders now united under a common platform.
APC National Chairman Yilwatda urged Governor Lawal to lead with fairness and inclusiveness, revealing that consultations with stakeholders across the state showed unanimous support for the governor’s defection.
In his acceptance speech, Lawal thanked party leaders and supporters for the warm reception, pledging to uphold justice, equity, and inclusive governance for all residents of the state.
He said the new political alignment signalled the beginning of a united front for development, declaring that Zamfara’s leaders were now working under “one umbrella” to advance the state’s progress.
The event was further boosted by the presence of former governors, including Abdulaziz Yari, Bello Matawalle, and Mahmuda Shinkafi, who all pledged support for the new political direction.
