In a dramatic political shift, Hon. Muhammad Lawal Kurya, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate in the recent Kaura Namoda South State House of Assembly by-election, has officially defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made during a high-profile political gathering organized by the Yazeed Shehu Danfulani Projects at the Taula Arena in Gusau.
Kurya, who contested the August supplementary election and lost to APC’s Kamilu Sa’idu, cited worsening insecurity in Zamfara State and negligence by PDP leadership as key reasons for his departure. “The current administration under Governor Dauda Lawal has failed to address the escalating security challenges in our communities,” Kurya declared. “I can no longer remain in a party that has lost touch with the people’s needs.”
The defection event drew over 550 attendees, including youth leaders, women’s groups, elders, and political stakeholders from the Zamfara Central Senatorial District. The gathering also served as a platform to encourage Hon. Yazeed Danfulani to contest for the senatorial seat in the 2027 general elections.
Kurya expressed his commitment to supporting the APC’s efforts to restore peace and development in Zamfara, particularly those led by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle. “I urge my supporters to join me in this new chapter. Together, we will work to rebuild our state under a party that prioritizes security and progress,” he added.
The APC leadership in Zamfara welcomed Kurya’s defection, describing it as a strategic boost ahead of the 2027 elections. Political analysts view the move as a sign of shifting allegiances in the state’s volatile political landscape.