Appeal Court Decision To Shape Governor Lawal’s PDP Future

Governor Dauda Lawal said the Court of Appeal judgment on the Peoples Democratic Party leadership dispute will determine his next political step in Zamfara State.

Lawal spoke at a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Gusau, where members from the 14 local government areas discussed the party’s position ahead of the 2027 general election. In remarks released through his Special Adviser on Media, Public Enlightenment and Communication, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, the governor tied his future in the PDP to the legal outcome over the party’s national leadership contest.

According to Kaura, the dispute before the court concerns the legality of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki’s leadership and questions around the Ibadan convention. He said the uncertainty has created pressure on state chapters to plan quickly because the Independent National Electoral Commission has already issued timelines for party congresses.

Kaura said the INEC guidelines require political parties to complete congresses at least 300 days before the election. He said that timeline means key decisions must be made in the coming weeks, adding that delay could weaken the party’s chances in the state and allow rivals to gain political advantage.

At the meeting, options were reportedly debated in case the judgment does not favour the camp aligned with the governor. Kaura said views were divided, with some stakeholders supporting a move to the All Progressives Congress, others preferring the African Democratic Congress, and another bloc proposing the formation of a new political platform.

Lawal said the state chapter must stay realistic about the legal process and prepare for every outcome. He stressed that party unity remains important, but added that strategy must follow the court’s final position on the national crisis.

The gathering reflected growing concern within the Zamfara PDP over how internal litigation at the centre could affect grassroots structures, candidate selection and mobilisation before the next election cycle. For now, the governor’s message was that his final decision will come after the appellate ruling.