Nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing frustration over the state's worsening security situation and what they described as the government's inadequate attention to the welfare of ordinary residents. The defection, announced on Friday, October 4, 2026, adds a fresh layer of political instability to a state already grappling with persistent bandit attacks.
Reasons for Defection: Insecurity and Welfare Concerns
Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South Constituency, spoke on behalf of the group and explained that the falling-out with Governor Dauda Lawal began when they attempted to bring the issue of insecurity to the floor of the Assembly. According to Kagara, the governor took strong exception to those efforts, and the resulting tension eventually led to the lawmakers being suspended.
“We raised the issue of insecurity on the floor of the Assembly, but the governor took exception to that,” Kagara said, as quoted by Legit.ng. He added that the suspension was a direct consequence of their attempts to address the security challenges facing the state.
Defection Did Not Resolve Their Grievances
Despite switching parties, Kagara said the move offered little relief. He alleged that certain leaders within the APC worked against the defecting lawmakers and shut them out of any meaningful dialogue, leaving their core concerns unaddressed. The lawmakers claimed they were denied a fair hearing even within their new party, which compounded their frustration.
The nine lawmakers who crossed to the APC are Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Muktar Nasir, known as Jikan Shehu (Kaura Namoda North), Faruk Dosara Musa (Maradun I), and Basiru Bello (Bungudu West). The remaining five are Barrister Bashir A. Masama (Bukkuyum North), Ibrahim T. Tukur (Bakura), Nasiru Abdullahi (Maru North), Yusuf Muhammad Anka (Anka), and Rt. Hon. Bashar Aliyu (Gummi I).
Political Instability Amid Security Challenges
Zamfara State has long grappled with serious security challenges, including persistent attacks by armed bandits that have displaced communities and disrupted livelihoods across the state. The defections add a fresh layer of political instability to a government already under pressure to restore order. The lawmakers' departure from the PDP reduces the party's representation in the Assembly, potentially shifting the balance of power ahead of the 2027 elections.
As the political landscape in Zamfara shifts, the defecting lawmakers have made it clear that their primary grievances—insecurity and welfare—remain unresolved. Their next steps, whether within the APC or through further political realignments, will be closely watched by constituents and political observers alike.
