Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has declared that he will not contest the 2027 governorship election in Zamfara State, choosing instead to back Governor Dauda Lawal for a second term.
He made this known on Tuesday in Gusau during a reception held to welcome Lawal into the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Lawal, who took over from Matawalle as governor in 2023, recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing internal crises and ongoing legal battles within the party as reasons for his move.
At the event, which was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Matawalle openly endorsed Lawal as his preferred candidate for the next governorship race, pledging his full support.
“I will give my best to support Governor Dauda Lawal. I believe Zamfara will be better now as we come together with a shared commitment to work for the collective good,” he said.
Matawalle also highlighted what he described as a new sense of unity in the state, noting that, for the first time, all former governors and the current governor are now aligned under one political platform.
He expressed confidence that this unity would strengthen the party’s chances in future elections, adding that Zamfara could deliver strong support for President Bola Tinubu in 2027.
He further called on political stakeholders and residents of the state to rally behind the governor and support his administration, emphasising the need for cooperation to ensure progress and stability.
