Zamfara PDP By-Election Candidate Defects to APC, Criticizes Former Party

By Adam Muhammad, Gusau

Muhammad Lawal Kurya, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recent Kaura Namoda South State Assembly by-election in Zamfara State, has formally defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Kurya announced his move on Saturday at a political gathering in Gusau, the state capital, organized by the "Yazeed Shehu Danfulani Projects" group.

The defection comes months after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the by-election inconclusive and, following a supplementary poll in August 2025, announced APC's Kamilu Sa'idu as the winner. The returning officer from the Federal University Gusau declared that Sa'idu polled 1,181 votes in the runoff, against Kurya's 194 votes. Overall, the APC secured 8,182 votes across the constituency, while the PDP garnered 5,544 votes.

Explaining his decision, Kurya expressed a loss of confidence in his former party. He criticized the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal for "losing focus," particularly on the critical issue of insecurity, which he claimed contributed to his defeat and the worsening situation in the state. In a more personal account, Kurya revealed that since his election loss, the PDP leadership and top state officials had neglected him, with many blocking his access to them.

He urged his supporters to rally behind the APC and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, to "restore peace and progress" in Zamfara.

Receiving the new entrant, the State APC Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris, welcomed Kurya to what he described as a "progressive party". He assured him and his supporters of equal treatment and stated that this defection signifies the growing popularity of the APC in Zamfara State. He expressed optimism that the party is positioned to reclaim the state in the 2027 general elections.

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