Vice President Shettima Welcomes Governor Dauda Lawal to APC Declaring Opposition Parties Defunct Ahead of 2027

Vice President Shettima welcomes Zamfara Governor Dauda Lawal to the APC, declaring the PDP "buried" and the ADC in a "coma" ahead of 2027.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 25, 2026, 4:11 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from LEADERSHIP News

A Major Realignment in Zamfara Politics

The Nigerian political landscape witnessed a significant shift on Tuesday as Vice President Kashim Shettima officially welcomed Zamfara State Governor, Dr. Dauda Lawal, into the All Progressives Congress (APC). This defection marks a critical consolidation of power for the ruling party within the Northwest geopolitical zone, effectively bringing one of the region's most prominent opposition leaders into the fold. During the reception ceremony, Shettima emphasized that Lawal’s entry into the party is a testament to the growing national consensus surrounding the current administration’s performance. The move is expected to drastically alter the local political dynamics in Zamfara, unifying previously fractured leadership elements under a single banner.

Shettima Defends Federal Development Milestones

Speaking primarily in Hausa, Vice President Shettima utilized the platform to defend the developmental record of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration. He maintained that visible strides in infrastructure, healthcare, and educational interventions serve as undeniable proof of the government’s resolve to alleviate poverty. According to Shettima, these "developmental strides" provide the APC with a moral and political advantage that the opposition cannot replicate. By framing the party’s success through the lens of public service and tangible projects, the Vice President sought to justify the continued expansion of the APC's influence across state lines.

Dismissing the Viability of Opposition Parties

In a bold rhetorical flourish, Vice President Shettima characterized the current state of Nigeria’s opposition as clinically terminal. He told the gathered supporters and dignitaries that the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is effectively "buried," while the African Democratic Congress (ADC) exists in a state of "coma." These remarks highlight the APC’s aggressive posture heading into the 2027 election cycle, suggesting that the ruling party views its competitors as largely irrelevant. This narrative of total dominance is clearly intended to discourage further opposition mobilization and encourage more high-profile defections to the ruling party.