By Abubakar Yunusa
Former Zamfara State Governor and current Minister, of State for defence,Bello Matawalle, has declared he will not contest the 2027 governorship election, throwing his full support behind incumbent Governor Dauda Lawal.
Matawalle made the announcement during a grand reception in Gusau, welcoming Governor Lawal into the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.
The event was led by Vice President Kashim Shettima at the Trade Fair Complex.
Matawalle,in a statement signed by his personal assistant on Media Ahmad Dan-Wudil and made available to newsmen in Abuja on Wednesday said “I will give my best to support Governor Dauda Lawal, Insha Allah. I believe Zamfara will be better now as we come together with a shared commitment to work for the collective good.
The former governor described the occasion as historic, noting that all former governors of Zamfara, alongside the incumbent, are united under one political platform for the first time.
Matawalle highlighted APC’s decisive victory over the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 presidential election in Zamfara, urging stakeholders to rally behind Governor Lawal for the 2027 elections.
Earlier, on 9 March 2026, Governor Lawal formally defected from the PDP to APC, a move confirmed by his deputy, Mallam Mani Mummuni.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Senate President Barau I. Jibrin described Lawal’s defection as a defining moment for the North-West region, while APC governors, led by Imo State’s Hope Uzodinma, pledged full support.
Speaker of the House, Tajuddeen Abbas, praised the unity, calling it a demonstration of Zamfara’s progressive political character. APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda presented the party flag to Governor Lawal, reaffirming APC as a platform for visionary leadership.
Thousands of supporters lined Gusau’s streets, waving banners supporting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Lawal’s re-election ambitions.
The ceremony drew governors, former governors, lawmakers, and prominent political stakeholders from across Nigeria.
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