Zamfara Education Commissioner Resigns Following Governor Dauda Lawal,s High Profile Defection to APC

Education Commissioner Mallam Wadatau Madawaki resigns from Zamfara cabinet, refusing to join the APC following Governor Dauda Lawal’s recent defection.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 24, 2026, 7:50 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Politics Nigeria

Cabinet Departure Anchored in Political Loyalty

The executive council of Zamfara State has seen its first major casualty following the defection of Governor Dauda Lawal to the All Progressives Congress. Mallam Wadatau Madawaki, the Commissioner for Education, Science, and Technology, officially resigned his position on March 24, 2026, citing an irreconcilable difference in party affiliation. Madawaki, a long,standing member of the People,s Democratic Party, confirmed in a telephone conversation that his exit was a direct response to the Governor’s change in political alignment. He maintained that continuing his service under an APC banner was not a viable option for his career.

Voluntary Exit Amidst Shifts in State Leadership

Despite the sudden nature of the resignation, Madawaki emphasized that his decision was entirely voluntary and free from executive coercion. He revealed that during a recent stakeholders, meeting, Governor Lawal had granted all political appointees the freedom to choose their own paths without fear of reprisal. According to the former commissioner, the decision was a matter of personal and political principle. He asserted that he has never been a member of the APC and is not prepared to start now, preferring to remain consistent with his established political identity within the opposition PDP.

Immediate Administrative Transition in Education Ministry

The Zamfara State Government has acted rapidly to fill the leadership vacuum created by Madawaki,s departure. Secretary to the State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, announced that the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, will take over the education portfolio in an acting capacity. This swift transition is intended to ensure that the state,s educational and technological initiatives remain on track despite the political turbulence. The government appears focused on maintaining administrative continuity as it navigates the broader realignment of the state,s political structure.