A significant fracture has emerged within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State as seven serving members of the State House of Assembly have resigned their membership of the party. This development follows a public defection of scores of APC members to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) on Friday, led by Hajiya Hadiza Liman, alleging unfair treatment by APC leaders in the state. The seven lawmakers, including an ally of former Governor Abdul'aziz Yari Abubakar, announced their withdrawal from the party on Sunday.
The lawmakers, who were previously on suspension, cited concerns over insecurity, alleged injustice, and other issues affecting the well-being of the people as reasons for their defection. They were suspended about a year ago for attempting to impeach the Speaker of the State House of Assembly. Sources indicate that the issues leading to their suspension had not been resolved, affecting their bids to secure return tickets from the APC, with only one of them being successful.
The resigned lawmakers include Aliyu Ango Kagara, Ibrahim Tukur Bakura, Faruk Musa Dosara, Barrister Bashir Abubakar Masama, Muktaru Nasiru Kaura, Nasiru Abdullahi, and Bashar Bello. Their resignation adds to the growing political developments within Zamfara APC, where internal disagreements and realignments have continued to shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
A suspended member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Kagara, accused Governor Dauda Lawal of alleged betrayal, stating that the governor's defection to the APC was expected to resolve some of the disagreements between the governor and the lawmakers, but the situation had instead worsened. Kagara also alleged that the lawmakers had gone for 32 months without receiving salaries, allowances, and other benefits due to them as elected members of the state House of Assembly.
However, the Chairman of the Zamfara State House of Assembly Committee on Information, Shamsu Hassan Basko, who was initially part of the movement before quitting, said the lawmakers who left the APC are seven, not eight as widely reported. Basko denied allegations that Governor Lawal had refused to fulfil promises and agreements reached during the reconciliation process, stating that he was paid all his pending entitlements and salaries.
The defection is expected to generate further reactions from stakeholders as political parties begin preparations for the next electoral cycle. The APC at the state level was yet to be officially notified of the resignation, with the party publicity secretary, Ibrahim Danmadamin Birnin Magaji, stating that they had only seen the resignation letters on social media platforms.
The resigned lawmakers accused Governor Dauda Lawal's administration of failing to give adequate attention to insecurity affecting rural communities, stating that their constituents in rural areas who voted them into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention. The development is a significant blow to former Governor Abdul'aziz Yari, who helped some of the lawmakers emerge victorious in the last election.
Key points
- The seven lawmakers defected from APC citing insecurity and injustice in Zamfara State.
- The lawmakers were previously suspended for attempting to impeach the Speaker of the State House of Assembly.
- The defection is expected to impact the APC's performance in the 2027 general elections.
