Zamfara: PDP’s Kurya Dumps Party for APC Over Worsening Security Under Gov Lawal

Hon. Muhammad Lawal Kuryar Madaro, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate who narrowly lost the Kaura Namoda South State House of Assembly election, has switched to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), marking a dramatic change in Zamfara State politics.

At a high-profile event hosted by Hon. Yazeed Shehu Danfulani Projects at Gusau’s Taula Arena today, the decision was made.

Shortly after Kamilu Sa’idu of the APC was proclaimed the winner of the August supplementary election for the Kaura Namoda South constituency by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the defection occurred.

Sa’idu’s victory was certified by Federal University Gusau Returning Officer Lawal Sa’adu, who reported that the APC candidate received 1,181 votes in the runoff, compared to Kurya’s 194.

In the constituency as a whole, the APC received 8,182 votes to the PDP’s 5,544, demonstrating the APC’s power in spite of the fierce competition that was purportedly supported by a multibillion-naira war chest from PDP Governor Dauda Lawal.

Kurya apparently received billions of dollars in sponsorship from Governor Dauda Lawal during the most recent election, but the governor’s shortcomings caused Kurya to be rejected.

He joined the APC after becoming disenchanted with the leadership of Governor Lawal and the direction of his previous party.

In particular, he blamed his electoral failure and the wider unrest in Zamfara on the Lawal administration’s lack of focus on security.

But in an attempt to bring peace and advancement back, he called on his supporters to stand with APC leader Dr. Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defense.

Kurya’s decision may be a precursor of more defections in Zamfara’s divisive political environment, where banditry and inter-party rivalry are still prevalent.