By Our Correspondent 

Nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing persistent insecurity, alleged injustice and concerns over the welfare of their constituents.

The development, which occurred amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, has further deepened the political tensions within the Zamfara APC.

The lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South Constituency; Muktar Nasir, popularly known as Jikan Shehu, representing Kaura Namoda North; Faruk Dosara Musa, representing Maradun I; Basiru Bello, representing Bungudu West; Bashir A. Masama, representing Bukkuyum North; Ibrahim T. Tukur, representing Bakura; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Yusuf Muhammad Anka, representing Anka; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.

The lawmakers’ decision to leave the APC followed a prolonged disagreement with the state political leadership, particularly over the security situation in Zamfara.

Speaking on behalf of the defecting lawmakers, Kagara said their disagreements with Governor Dauda Lawal were rooted largely in the worsening security challenges confronting communities across the state.

According to him, the lawmakers had repeatedly raised concerns over insecurity on the floor of the State House of Assembly, but their position allegedly led to disagreements with the governor and eventually contributed to their suspension.

He said the lawmakers had expected stronger attention to the security challenges affecting their constituencies and the wider state.

Kagara further alleged that their movement into the APC did not resolve the issues that had prompted their political disagreements, claiming that some party leaders subsequently conspired against them and denied them what they regarded as a fair hearing.

Zamfara has for years faced serious security challenges, particularly attacks by armed groups and banditry in several rural communities.

The defecting lawmakers said the inability to adequately address the security situation was among the principal reasons for their decision to leave the APC.

In separate resignation letters circulated on October 4, some of the lawmakers cited insecurity, alleged injustice, lack of unity among party stakeholders, uncertainty and concerns about governance as reasons for their departure.

Dosara, for instance, reportedly complained about divisions within the party and what he described as the inability of the government to overcome the security challenges affecting his constituency and the state.

Similarly, Abdullahi said his decision was influenced by insecurity, alleged injustice and concerns about governance, while other lawmakers expressed comparable grievances.

The lawmakers’ position represents a continuation of disagreements that have reportedly persisted between them and the state’s political leadership for more than two years.

Their defection also comes against the backdrop of previous reports that some of the affected lawmakers had been suspended following disputes within the Assembly and allegations surrounding an attempt to remove the Speaker.

Apart from security concerns, reports have also linked the lawmakers’ grievances to their welfare and outstanding financial entitlements.

One report quoted Kagara as alleging that the lawmakers had gone for about 32 months without receiving salaries, allowances and other entitlements.

The allegation has not been independently established by official records cited in the reports, but it formed part of the grievances associated with the lawmakers’ decision to leave the APC.

The lawmakers have also accused some party leaders of failing to give them a fair opportunity to present their grievances.

The development has generated uncertainty within the Zamfara chapter of the APC.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Danmadamin Birnin Magaji, said the party was yet to receive official copies of the resignation letters from some of the affected lawmakers.

He explained that the APC was awaiting formal communication through the lawmakers’ respective political wards and local government structures before taking an official position on the matter.

According to him, the party would communicate its position after receiving the letters through the appropriate channels.

The defection is significant because the affected lawmakers represent constituencies spread across different parts of Zamfara State.

Their movement to the ADC comes at a time when opposition parties are seeking to strengthen their structures ahead of the 2027 elections.

The ADC has been positioning itself as one of the political platforms seeking to attract politicians and supporters from established parties as the election approaches.

In Zamfara, the ADC has already commenced preparations for the 2027 elections, with Ibrahim Salisu Mafara emerging as its governorship candidate after the party’s state primary process.

The latest defections could therefore have consequences for the political configuration in the state, particularly at the grassroots level, although the eventual electoral impact will depend on subsequent political developments, party structures and voter decisions.

For the lawmakers, however, their stated justification remains centred on security, governance, alleged injustice and the welfare of their constituents.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no substantive response from the Zamfara State Government addressing the specific allegations made by the lawmakers.

Reports also indicated that efforts to obtain comments from relevant government and Assembly officials were unsuccessful.

The defection leaves the Zamfara political landscape facing another round of realignment as parties intensify preparations for the 2027 general elections.

The development is expected to attract further reactions from the APC, ADC, the state government and other political stakeholders in the coming days.