Zamfara APC Stakeholders Unanimously Endorse Tinubu, Lawal for Second Term

Stakeholders of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have thrown their full weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Dauda Lawal for a second term in the 2027 general elections.

The endorsement came on Saturday, April 25, 2026, during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting convened at the Government House in Gusau. The gathering drew all four former governors of the state, elected officials, elders, and representatives of youth and women from all 14 local government areas.

Speaking at the event, Governor Lawal described the meeting as timely, noting that political activities ahead of the 2027 elections are about to intensify.

He explained that his decision to join the APC was not merely political but a strategic move to reposition Zamfara, strengthen collaboration with the federal government, and advance the Renewed Hope Agenda. He thanked stakeholders for their unwavering support throughout the transition process.

Lawal urged party leaders to manage public expectations with maturity and fairness, acknowledging that not all political aspirations can be met immediately. He stressed that leadership goes beyond positions and that political relevance comes from service and contribution to development.

He further assured that fairness, equity, and justice would guide his administration’s decisions, and called for discipline and loyalty to the party.

In a communiqué read by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Bello Matawalle, himself a former governor, the stakeholders declared their full support for President Tinubu and Governor Lawal. The communiqué also covered discussions on party unity, governance coordination, security challenges, and preparations for the 2027 elections.

All four former governors of Zamfara Ahmed Sani Yarima, Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Abdul’aziz Yari, and Bello Mohammed Matawalle were present and made clear commitments to the APC and the re-election bid of the president and the governor.

Ajadi Gains Fresh Support from PDP Stakeholders Across 11 Ibadan LGAs yesterday 

The leading governorship aspirant in Oyo State under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has reiterated his commitment to sustaining the achievements of Governor Seyi Makinde, stated that his ambition is driven by a desire to consolidate good governance as he believes that humans are not animals and need to be governed well rather than pursuing personal gain.

Ajadi made this known on Thursday, April 23, 2026, during a strategic meeting with PDP stakeholders drawn from all 11 local government areas in Ibadan, where he formally sought their support ahead of the party’s gubernatorial primary election.

Addressing the gathering, Ajadi commended the Makinde administration for what he described as impactful governance across critical sectors, stressing that his aspiration is rooted in continuity of good governance, emphasizing that the promised Omituntun 3.0 is sacrosanct and he remains the initiator of Omituntun 3.0, the continuity of Governor Seyi Makinde’s legacy.

“If Omituntun reaches 40.0 in the future, nobody should be surprised that what started from 1.0 got to that level because good governance needs to be in continuity till eternity,” he said.

“The government of Governor Seyi Makinde has done well in all ramifications. That is why I have come forward to sustain his good governance for the benefit of our people,” he said.

He dismissed insinuations that his ambition was financially motivated, emphasizing his longstanding commitment to humanitarian service.

“I am not in this race to loot public funds. I have always been a philanthropist, and I intend to replicate that character through people-oriented governance that will uplift lives across Oyo State,” Ajadi added.

Earlier, the PDP Senatorial Chairman, Hon. Dayo Opatokun, described Ajadi as a stabilizing force within the party, noting that his engagements have contributed significantly to unity among members.

“Ambassador Ajadi is one of the aspirants who have kept the party united. His approach to leadership and inclusiveness is commendable,” Opatokun said.

Also speaking, Hon. Mufutau Ogunremi, Senior Special Assistant on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to Governor Makinde, insisted that Ajadi should not be regarded as a political outsider within government circles.

“Ajadi should not be seen as a visitor in any government parastatal. He is a key stakeholder who has strengthened the PDP in Oyo State through consistent engagement with party executives at ward, local government, and state levels,” Ogunremi stated.

He further praised Governor Makinde’s leadership style, adding that Ajadi possesses similar qualities.

“Governor Makinde has shown exemplary leadership, and Ajadi has demonstrated the capacity to replicate that model. His relationship with party members is built on trust, loyalty, and sincerity,” he said.

The PDP Party Chairman in Lagelu Local Government Area, and Chairman of Local Government PDP Chairmen in the state, Femi Falowo, commended Ajadi’s humanitarian efforts and leadership qualities, expressing confidence in his ability to succeed Makinde.

“Many may be afraid to speak, but I will say it—Ajadi has done well in emulating humanitarian service. He understands governance and has what it takes to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde,” Falowo declared.

He urged the aspirant to remain steadfast in his philanthropic engagements and party unification efforts.

“I encourage you to continue your good work and never stop uniting members of the party,” he added.

On her part, the Senatorial Women Leader, Hon. Aduke Okewusi, called for greater inclusion and empowerment of women in Ajadi’s political structure.

“Women play crucial roles during elections, yet they are often relegated to the background. We want to be actively involved and empowered beyond mere political mobilization,” she said.

Okewusi urged Ajadi to honour his commitment to gender inclusion if elected.

“You have promised to carry women along. We expect that this promise will be fulfilled,” she added.

Similarly, the Youth Leader of Ona-Ara Local Government, Nureni Morakinyo Azeez, emphasized the need for youth empowerment, noting the critical role young people play during elections.

“Youths are always at the forefront during campaigns. We are appealing to you to prioritize youth empowerment and create opportunities that will secure our future,” Azeez said.

The meeting, which drew party leaders and grassroots mobilizers from across Ibadan, is seen as part of Ajadi’s ongoing consultations aimed at consolidating support within the PDP as the race for the 2027 governorship election gathers momentum.

Rescue Mission 2.0: Why Governor Dauda Lawal Should Continue Rebuilding The Future Of Zamfara Through Investment in Education

By: Bashorun Oladapo Sofowora

For those who know Zamfara State before Governor Dauda Lawal became Governor will appreciate the current situation in the state. The state, which used to be in the rubble, has been reconstructed into a powerhouse within its geographical location and has become an envy of others. All thanks to the visionary rescue mission 1.0 spearheaded by Governor Dauda Lawal, PhD, in 2023, when he was elected Governor of the agrarian and mineral-rich state.

Just three years ago, education in Zamfara State was in a Comatose state. It was nonexistent. No functional primary and secondary schools conducive to learning. The narrative was one of despair: schools as ghost towns, examination halls locked by creditors, and a generation of children seemingly abandoned by systemic neglect. But for Governor Dauda Lawal, a leader who views governance not as a relay race but as a rescue mission, the story has changed with just three years in charge of the affairs of the state.

When he assumed office, the education sector wasn’t just ailing; clinically, it was on life support. Massive debts had piled up, teachers had vanished into thin air and the number of out-of-school children was skyrocketing on a daily basis. However, two years into the “Lawal era,” the sound of silence in Zamfara’s classrooms has been replaced by the sound of flipping of new textbooks and the scratching of pens on examination answer sheets.

One of the cruellest legacies Governor Lawal inherited was the hostage crisis of student futures. Students could not write exams, classes were dilapidated and qualified teachers. Past administrations had failed to remit examination fees to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO). Consequently, thousands of bright Zamfaran students saw their results withheld not because they failed, but because the state failed them. Some had to travel to neighbouring towns like Sokoto, Katsina and Kano to enrol for exams risking their lives.

In a dramatic move that sent shockwaves through the opposition, Governor Lawal reached into the state’s coffers and cleared the backlog of a staggering: ₦1.4 billion to WAEC covering debts from 2018 to 2022, and a combined payment of over ₦1.34 billion to NECO covering debts from 2014 to 2021. The immediate effect was the release of all previously withheld results, allowing students to finally apply for higher education. Furthermore, the state fully funded the 2024 WAEC examinations, ensuring that no child was barred from sitting for their finals due to a lack of funds.

Governor Lawal after his swearing in, declared a State of Emergency on Education in November 2023, this meant that governance moved from the air-conditioned offices in Gusau to the muddy fields of rural schools across the state. He rolled his sleeves and got to work almost immediately fixing the rot he met. Available data from the Zamfara State Government reveals that the state has embarked on the construction and renovation of over 500 schools across all 14 Local Government Areas. This is not a cosmetic paint job, the administration is investing in modern, safe, and dignified learning environments:

Classroom Revolution: Through the UBEC-ZSUBEB Matching Grant and AGILE projects, contracts worth over ₦5.9 billion have been awarded to build schools meeting global standards.

Furniture Supply: The administration has distributed over 12,000 two-seater desks for students and over 1,000 chairs for teachers, ending the era where pupils sat on bare floors to learn.

Recruitment of more teachers and supply of more textbooks: Infrastructure without manpower is a shell. When Governor Lawal looked at the teacher-to-pupil ratio in the state, he saw a crisis. In a decisive move to reverse the brain drain, he approved the massive recruitment of 2,000 qualified teachers.

The recruitment is strategic, the first batch of 500 focuses on critical science subjects (English, Mathematics, Chemistry, Physics), preparing Zamfaran youth for the 21st-century economy. The government is also finalising a 120-day Rapid Intervention Action Plan to audit payrolls, map schools, and secure school environments from illegal encroachment.

For the 2025 fiscal year, Governor Lawal presented a “Rescue Budget 2.0” of N545 billion. The largest single allocation, N79.6 billion, representing 14% of the entire budget, went to Education. For 2026, the proposed budget allocates an additional N65 billion to sustain this momentum. However, a journey to the Renaissance is not complete. It is at this critical inflexion point that the people of Zamfara face a defining choice. Before Governor Lawal, Zamfara was a state where students were barred from exams due to unpaid debts. Today, those chains are broken completely. But the enemy of progress is not just failure; it is interruption. The gains made in education are still fragile and need continuous consolidation. The newly recruited teachers need continuous training and the 500 renovated schools need constant security and maintenance. The unified Education Sector Bill, designed to create a seamless system from early childhood to tertiary level, is still awaiting full legislative maturity.

To stop the “Rescue Mission 2.0” now would be to hand the baton back to those who drove the system into educational bankruptcy. The same political forces that allowed the debt to accumulate to over N2 billion are already regrouping eyeing 2027. They promise something different, but their records speak of withheld results and abandoned classrooms. Governor Dauda Lawal is not merely constructing classrooms; he is dismantling the architecture of ignorance that held Zamfara backwards for decades. He has proven that with political will, the “Education Governor” can turn around a sector that was declared dead.

To secure this legacy, to ensure that children never again sit on bare floors and to guarantee that WAEC and NECO never again hold Zamfaran results hostage, the mission must continue for a secured future. The vote for continuity is a vote for the future. By re-electing Governor Dauda Lawal, Zamfara will not just be learning to read and write, but also to win in all ramifications and also put the state on a winning streak.