Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing insecurity, alleged injustice and other concerns affecting the people of the state.
The lawmakers announced their resignation in a statement, saying they could no longer remain in a political party which, according to them, had failed to adequately address the security challenges confronting citizens.
The development comes amid ongoing disagreements and political realignments within the Zamfara chapter of the APC ahead of the 2027 general election.
The lawmakers who resigned 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 Nasiru Kaura, representing Kaura North; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Bashar Bello, representing Bungudu West; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.
The lawmakers have not disclosed the political party they intend to join following their exit from the APC.
Reacting to the development, the Zamfara State APC Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Danmadamin Birnin Magaji, said the party had yet to receive official notification of the lawmakers’ resignation.
“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 said 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 added.
On whether the resignations were connected to an internal crisis within the party, Danmadamin said the APC was not aware of any grievances by the lawmakers before the resignation letters emerged.
Meanwhile, one of the lawmakers, Kagara, said their decision was influenced by what he described as the failure of the APC and the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal to adequately address insecurity, particularly in rural communities.
Kagara alleged that previous agreements reached with the lawmakers had not been properly implemented.
“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.
“Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention,” he said.
Kagara also alleged that the lawmakers had gone for 32 months without receiving their salaries, allowances and other entitlements as members of the state House of 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. Whether they enjoy what is happening or not, they are in the best position to take action and they need not to be told,” he said.
A party official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said he did not blame the lawmakers for leaving the APC.
The official alleged that Governor Lawal had chosen to work with other political actors rather than reconcile with some aggrieved members of the party.
“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,” he said.
Governor Lawal has yet to publicly respond to the allegations made by the lawmakers.
