EIGHT members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have abandoned the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing worsening insecurity, alleged injustice and failure to pay their salaries and allowances for 32 months.
The lawmakers announced their resignation from the ruling party in a statement, accusing the APC-led government in the state of failing to respond adequately to the security crisis affecting their constituents, particularly residents of rural communities.
The development deepens the political crisis surrounding the Zamfara APC and raises fresh questions about the party’s hold on the state assembly ahead of the 2027 elections.
The lawmakers who resigned are Aliyu Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Ibrahim Bakura, representing Bakura; Faruk Dosara, representing Maradun I; Bashir Masama, representing Bukkuyum North; Muktaru Kaura, representing Kaura North; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Bashar Bello, representing Bungudu West; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.
Kagara said the lawmakers had gone without salaries, allowances and other entitlements for 32 months, describing the situation as unacceptable.
“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.
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He also accused the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal of failing to adequately address insecurity in rural parts of the state.
According to him, the security situation in parts of Zamfara had deteriorated to the point where the lawmakers could no longer justify remaining in 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.
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He said constituents who elected the lawmakers expected them to address insecurity and other pressing challenges affecting their communities.
“Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention,” he said.
The lawmakers’ departure comes against the backdrop of persistent insecurity in Zamfara, where communities have faced attacks, abductions and displacement linked to armed criminal groups.
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APC questions exit
However, the APC has questioned the circumstances surrounding the announcement. The party’s Publicity Secretary in Zamfara, Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, said the party had not officially received the lawmakers’ resignation letters.
He said the APC had only seen the letters circulating on social media and was awaiting formal communication through the lawmakers’ respective political wards and local government structures.
“We all saw it on social media platforms, but whenever we receive the copies officially, we would communicate with you on our stand,” Birnin-Magaji said.
He added that the party was not aware of any grievances raised by the lawmakers before their resignation statements became public.
The lawmakers were reportedly suspended by the party after allegations that they had attempted to remove the speaker of the state assembly about a year ago.
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Their exit therefore adds another layer to an already strained relationship between the lawmakers and the party leadership.
Beyond the immediate dispute over the resignation letters, the development could have wider political implications for Zamfara, where insecurity, governance and internal party divisions are likely to remain major issues ahead of the 2027 elections, experts say.
“For the lawmakers, their departure is being presented as a response to the conditions facing their constituents and their own prolonged non-payment,” said a Zamfara State-based political strategist, Isah Abdullahi.
“For the APC, however, the absence of formal resignation letters leaves open questions over the status of the lawmakers and the extent of the political rupture within the party.”
He noted that the unfolding dispute could test both the APC’s internal cohesion in Zamfara and the state government’s response to the lawmakers’ allegations over security and unpaid entitlements.
