Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal has expressed confidence in defeating his predecessor and Minister of State Defence, Bello Matawalle, if the latter chooses to contest the 2027 elections against him.
Reports that Mr Lawal, who contested under the People’s Democratic Party, PDP, had defeated Mr Mattawalle, who was the incumbent governor and candidate of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in the 2023 elections.
Speaking during an interview on Channels TV, Mr Lawal said he remains unperturbed about the rumoured aspiration of the former governor, saying he would defeat him “before 10 a.m.” on the election day.
The governor also dismissed speculations claiming that he would defect to the APC.
While reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP, the governor said: “I’m still in the PDP, and I have no intention of going anywhere for now.
“When I contested in 2023, all these forces were there—Sani Yerima, Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi, Abdulaziz Yari, Matawalle—they were all in APC, and I still won. I’m not afraid of them in 2027. Power comes only from God.
“I’m praying to God that Matawalle emerges the APC candidate in 2027. Let’s see what happens,” he said.
“By 10 a.m. on election day, it should be a walkover, InshaAllah.”
Mr Lawal claimed that Mr Matawalle does not pose any threat to his re-election, saying: “I don’t see him as a threat in any way. I won’t lose sleep over Matawalle.”
He said nothing had changed since the last election that would give the former governor an edge.
“What has he done differently that he didn’t do before?,” he queried.
