The youths of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have reacted to the rumoured defection of Governor Dauda Lawal from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The youths under the aegis of Zamfara APC Integrity Network (ZAIN) said it rejects in its entirety the planned defection of the governor.

In a statement issued on Monday, June 9, by Sani Gummi, its President, ZAIN said Lawal is a political liability to any party.

According to Gummi, the governor has failed to deliver on his electoral promises to the people of Zamfara and has no relevance to the political permutations of the APC.

Gummi also warned that such a move by the governor would backfire on the party.

He said the APC “cannot afford to inherit a non-performing politician whose leadership has worsened the socio-economic conditions of Zamfara people”.

“We want to make it categorically clear that Governor Dauda Lawal is not welcome in the APC. He is a huge liability, and any attempt to accept him into the party will damage our chances in 2027. Zamfara has suffered under his administration. The streets are not safe, civil servants are groaning, and there’s no tangible infrastructure to speak of,” Gummi stated.

He also described the planned defection by Governor Lawal as a political move aimed at masking his failures and thinning popularity.

Gummi also stated that the governor hopes to use President Bola Tinubu as a ladder to securing a second-term position.

“What Zamfara needs is visionary leadership — not recycled politicians jumping from party to party for personal survival. APC is rebuilding its structures, and we cannot afford to dilute that progress with someone whose record in office has been marked by blame games and inertia,” he said.