Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing worsening insecurity, alleged injustice and the non-payment of salaries and allowances.
The lawmakers announced their decision on Sunday, October 4, 2026, saying they could no longer remain in a party which, according to them, had failed to adequately address the security challenges affecting residents of the state, particularly those in rural communities.
The lawmakers 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 32 months without receiving their salaries, allowances and other entitlements. He also criticised the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal over what he described as inadequate attention to insecurity in rural communities.
“Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention,” Kagara said, according to reports.
The lawmakers also cited internal disagreements, alleged injustice and concerns over the welfare of their constituents as reasons for their decision to leave the APC. One of the lawmakers is also reported to be an ally of former Zamfara Governor Abdul’aziz Yari.
However, the Zamfara APC said it had not yet received the lawmakers’ resignation letters through the appropriate channels. The party’s Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, said the APC had only seen the letters on social media and was awaiting official communication from their respective wards and local government executives.
Meanwhile, Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Moriki, said the eight lawmakers had been suspended from the House long before their resignation from the APC.
According to Moriki, they were suspended in February 2024 over allegations including gross misconduct, conspiracy, contempt of the House and holding an unauthorised sitting. He said the suspension was extended in May 2026 because the disciplinary issues remained unresolved.
The Speaker maintained that the Assembly remained functional, saying it currently has 16 active members and continues to conduct its legislative duties. He also urged the public to distinguish between the lawmakers’ political decision to leave the APC and the disciplinary proceedings against them.
The development comes amid persistent security challenges in Zamfara and adds to the political tensions within the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.
