Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have announced their resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing worsening insecurity, alleged political injustice and the non-payment of salaries and allowances.
The lawmakers announced their decision on Sunday, deepening political tensions within the Zamfara APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawmakers include Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Ibrahim Tukur Bakura, representing Bakura; Faruk Musa Dosara, representing Maradun I; and Bashir Abubakar Masama, representing Bukkuyum North.
Others are Muktaru Kaura, representing Kaura North; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Bashar Bello, representing Bungudu West; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I. (TheCable)
Kagara said the lawmakers were dissatisfied with the handling of security concerns affecting residents, particularly those living in rural communities.
“What we are challenging Governor Lawal’s administration about is even worse now compared to previous times, so we have seen no reason to continue remaining in the APC,” Kagara said.
He also claimed that the lawmakers had gone 32 months without receiving their salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
“This is our 32 months without salary, allowances and other entitlements as honourable members and the people of Zamfara; the ball is in their court,” he said.
Kagara further said the lawmakers’ constituents in rural communities had not received adequate attention regarding their security concerns.
“Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention.”
APC says it has not received official resignation letters
The APC’s Zamfara State publicity secretary, Ibrahim Danmadamin Birnin Magaji, said the party had not yet received official copies of the lawmakers’ resignation letters.
“We all saw it on social media platforms, but whenever we receive the copies officially, we will communicate with you on our stand,” he said. (Businessday NG)
The party said it would respond formally after receiving the resignation letters through the appropriate channels.
Zamfara Assembly gives a different account
The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, has disputed the impression that the lawmakers’ departure represents a new crisis within the Assembly.
Moriki said the eight lawmakers had actually been suspended from the House since February 2024 following allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, contempt of the House and convening an unauthorised sitting.
According to the Speaker, the lawmakers were also accused of forcibly entering offices within the Assembly complex and damaging public property. He said the disciplinary proceedings predated their latest political decision.
“The Zamfara State House of Assembly is stable, functional and fully engaged in its constitutional responsibilities. The purported defection of members who have remained under suspension cannot be presented as evidence of disarray in the House.
“These members were suspended for alleged gross misconduct and serious violations of the Standing Orders of the House, including allegations bordering on forceful entry into offices of the Assembly, destruction of public property and the convening of an unauthorised legislative sitting.
“Their suspension was therefore not a consequence of their present political decision. It substantially predates their purported defection and arose from disciplinary matters within the Assembly.” (Premium Times Nigeria)
Moriki added that the House had extended the lawmakers’ suspension in May 2026 because the disciplinary issues had not been resolved.
He said the Assembly currently has 16 active members and continues to carry out its legislative responsibilities.
The Speaker also urged the public to distinguish between the lawmakers’ political decision and the disciplinary proceedings against them, noting that changing political parties does not automatically end existing disciplinary or legal matters.
The lawmakers have not publicly announced their next political destination following their departure from the APC. (TheCable)
