Eight Zamfara lawmakers leave APC, accuse party, govt of neglect

Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have announced their resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing worsening insecurity, alleged injustice and the non-payment of salaries and allowances.

The lawmakers announced their decision in a statement on Sunday, accusing the party and the state authorities of failing to adequately address security challenges affecting residents, 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.

The lawmakers also cited what they described as a worsening welfare situation affecting both legislators and their constituents.

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Kagara alleged that the lawmakers had gone for 32 months without receiving their salaries, allowances and other entitlements.

“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.

Kagara also criticised the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal over its handling of insecurity, particularly in rural communities.

He said the security situation had worsened and that constituents who elected the lawmakers expected action to address their security concerns.

“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.

However, the Zamfara State chapter of the APC said it had not received official copies of the lawmakers’ resignation letters.

The party’s Publicity Secretary, Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, said the APC had only seen the letters circulating on social media and was awaiting formal communication through the lawmakers’ respective wards and local government structures.

He said the party would communicate its position after receiving the resignation letters through the appropriate channels, adding that it was not aware of the lawmakers’ grievances before the letters emerged.

The development comes amid a wider political dispute involving the lawmakers. The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Moriki, said on Monday that the eight lawmakers had been suspended from the House since February 2024 over allegations including gross misconduct, conspiracy, contempt of the House and convening an unauthorised sitting.

The lawmakers have not publicly announced their next political destination.

(Daily Trust)