The chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Zamfara State, Jamil Jibo Magayaki, has officially defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), citing prevailing political realities in the state.
Magayaki announced his defection on Wednesday, March 11, in a statement where he said his decision was guided by the need to align with a platform better positioned to address the state’s pressing challenges.
“I, Dr. Jamil Jibo Magayaki, the Zamfara State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), hereby announce my formal defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC),” the statement read.
According to him, the move was influenced by the current political situation in Zamfara, particularly concerns around security, development and governance.
“My decision to join the APC is based on the current political reality in Zamfara State, which demands alignment with a platform better positioned to address the challenges of security, development and governance for the benefit of our people,” he said.
The development comes just days after the governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, also dumped the PDP for the APC following consultations with political stakeholders in the state.
In a statement confirming the governor’s defection, his media aide, Nuhu Anka, said the decision was taken after careful consideration and in the interest of stability and development in Zamfara.
“After careful consideration, and in the overriding interest of stability, progress, and the sustainable development of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal has decided to formally defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” the statement noted.
Lawal’s move reportedly increased the number of governors on the APC platform to 31, further strengthening the ruling party’s influence across the country.
Meanwhile, the governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has expressed concern over the internal crisis rocking the PDP ahead of the 2027 elections.
Makinde described the situation as a difficult moment for both the party and Nigeria’s democracy following the recent judgment of the Court of Appeal on the PDP’s leadership dispute.
He urged party leaders to remain mindful of how their decisions during the ongoing crisis will be judged by history while expressing hope that the political tensions within the opposition party would eventually pass.
