The Commissioner for Education, Science and Technology in Zamfara State, Mallam Wadatau Madawaki, has resigned from the state executive council.
His resignation followed the defection of Governor Dauda Lawal from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Madawaki confirmed his resignation to Channels Television, saying his decision was based on his loyalty to the PDP, which he has no intention of leaving.
“I only resigned because the governor is joining the APC. I am a PDP member, I have never been in the APC and I am not ready to be an APC member,” he said.
The former commissioner dismissed claims that he was forced to step down, insisting that his resignation was voluntary and guided by personal conviction.
“The governor has never forced anyone to resign. Even during the stakeholders’ meeting, he made it clear that nobody would be forced to join the party. I only resigned because I believe it is the honourable thing to do,” he added.
Governor Lawal has since accepted the resignation, according to the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government, Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, who announced that the Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Abdulmalik Abubakar Gajam, has been directed to oversee the Ministry of Education in an acting capacity with immediate effect.
The development comes after Governor Lawal defected from the PDP to the APC alongside his deputy, Mani Malam Mummuni, and several members of the state executive council, citing internal disagreements within the opposition party.
In a symbolic move shortly after the defection, the PDP flag was removed from the Zamfara Government House in the presence of the deputy governor and other cabinet members, signalling the formal shift of allegiance to the ruling party.
