Eight Zamfara Lawmakers Dump APC, Blame Party For Insecurity

Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing worsening insecurity and alleged neglect of their constituents.

The lawmakers announced their decision as political realignments gather pace in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

They include Aliyu Ango Kagara of Talata Mafara South, Ibrahim Tukur Bakura of Bakura, Faruk Musa Dosara of Maradun I and Bashir Abubakar Masama of Bukkuyum North.

Others are Muktaru Nasiru Kaura of Kaura North, Nasiru Abdullahi of Maru North, Bashar Bello of Bungudu West and Bashar Aliyu of Gummi I.

The lawmakers said insecurity had remained a major concern for their constituents. They also cited alleged injustice and unresolved issues within the party.

Kagara, who spoke on the development, said the lawmakers could no longer justify their continued membership of the APC.

“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 accused the state government of failing to give adequate attention to residents in rural communities who face security threats.

“Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention,” he added.

The lawmakers also alleged that they had gone 32 months without salaries, allowances and other entitlements as members of the Assembly.

“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,” Kagara said.

Their resignation comes against the backdrop of a prolonged dispute involving the lawmakers and the leadership of the Zamfara Assembly. Reports show that some of the lawmakers had previously raised concerns over insecurity and alleged withholding of their salaries.

The APC, however, said it had not formally received the lawmakers’ resignation letters.

The state Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Danmadamin Birnin Magaji, said the party was waiting for the letters to reach it through the lawmakers’ respective political structures.

“We are still waiting for their correspondence from their respective political wards after reaching their local government executives, which would later be forwarded to us,” Danmadamin said.

He explained that the party had only seen the resignation letters on social media.

“We all saw it on social media platforms, but whenever we receive the copies officially, we would communicate with you on our stand,” he said.

Danmadamin also said the party could not comment on the lawmakers’ grievances until it received their letters.

The resignation further alters the political configuration of the Zamfara Assembly. The state has witnessed repeated disputes involving lawmakers, the Assembly leadership and the executive arm over legislative procedures and governance.

In April 2025, suspended lawmakers formed a parallel assembly in Gusau and raised concerns over insecurity and other issues under Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration.

The suspended lawmakers had also alleged that their salaries and allowances were withheld after their suspension. The Assembly leadership disputed the claim, saying the lawmakers were suspended for violating legislative procedures.

A party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the lawmakers’ decision was linked to the failure to reconcile them with the governor and other members of the APC.

“I don’t blame them, and they did the right thing, as the governor chose not to reconcile with them despite all efforts to ensure they remained in the APC,” the official said.

The governor had not responded to the latest allegations by the lawmakers at the time of filing this report.

The lawmakers have also not announced the political platform they intend to join after leaving the APC.

Their departure adds another dimension to the political realignments already taking place in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 elections.