The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, announced on Tuesday that he has decided not to run in the 2027 governorship election, choosing instead to back Governor Dauda Lawal’s bid for a second term.
This development is significant as the Minister, a top APC chieftain, was unseated by Lawal in 2023 when the Governor was still with the PDP.
This major declaration took place during the formal event welcoming Lawal into the APC following his recent exit from the PDP.
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The gathering featured Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside former governors like Abdulaziz Yari and other key party leaders from Zamfara State.
During the ceremony, Matawalle made his position clear, stating: “I have withdrawn my intention to contest for the governorship election, and I will wholeheartedly help my brother Governor Dauda Lawal to be reelected in 2027.”
Vice President Shettima also spoke to the crowd, reinforcing the Federal Government’s resolve to tackle the security crisis in the state.
He promised the deployment of more personnel and equipment to fight banditry and pledged total support for the Governor’s progress.
Shettima told the audience: “The Federal Government will do everything humanly possible to get rid of the marauding bandits who have been terrorising the people of the state.”
The Vice President added: “We will give necessary assistance and support to Governor Dauda Lawal to continue with the good work he has started.”
He concluded by urging residents to stand behind the current leadership, saying: “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.”
Governor Lawal addressed his shift to the APC, maintaining that the move would only strengthen his governance. Expressing his excitement, 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.”
He also expressed gratitude to his supporters from both sides, noting: “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.”
Lawal further promised a fair playing field, stating: “I promise to give equal treatment to all party members for the betterment of our dear state.”
Records show that “Lawal, on March 9, officially dumped the PDP, citing recurring leadership crisis.”
