Matawalle rules out 2027 governorship bid, declares support for Dauda Lawal

The Minister of State for Defence and former Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, has announced that he will not contest the 2027 governorship election, declaring Governor Dauda Lawal as his preferred and sole gubernatorial candidate in the state.

The position was contained in a statement signed by Ahmad Dan-Wudil, Media Adviser to the former governor, in which Matawalle reaffirmed his commitment to work for the success of Lawal’s administration and the unity of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State.

Matawalle made the declaration in Gusau during a grand reception organised to officially welcome Governor Lawal into the APC. The event, held at the Trade Fair Complex on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, was led by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima.

Describing the occasion as historic, Matawalle said it marked the first time all former governors of Zamfara State and the incumbent governor are united under one political platform. He also recalled that the APC recorded a decisive victory in the 2023 presidential election in the state with a margin of over 100,000 votes.

Looking ahead to 2027, the minister expressed confidence that Zamfara would again deliver one of the highest vote margins for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that the current unity within the party signals a new era of cooperation and development.

“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,” Matawalle said.

Governor Lawal had earlier, on March 9, 2026, defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC after consultations with political stakeholders. His deputy, Mallam Mani Mummuni, confirmed the development at the Government House in Gusau, which was later reaffirmed by his media aide.

Matawalle also urged stakeholders and residents of Zamfara State to support the governor to ensure the success of his administration. He commended President Tinubu’s leadership style, describing him as an inclusive leader whose political foresight has strengthened the APC.