Six Zamfara Lawmakers Leave PDP For APC
Six members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), blaming internal party conflicts and poor governance in the state for their decision.
The lawmakers made their intentions known on Thursday through individual letters addressed to the Speaker of the House.
The defectors are Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Gummi I), Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Bashir Bello (Bungudu West), Amiru Ahmad Keta (Tsafe West), and Muktar Nasir Kaura (Kaura North).
In their letters, titled “Notice of Resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC),” they cited unresolved crises within the PDP that have led to factional divisions.
One of the lawmakers wrote: “I write to formally inform the Honourable Speaker and Honourable Members of this Honourable House of my decision to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) due to lingering and unresolved crises in my party, which have resulted in factional leadership.”
They also invoked Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Nigerian Constitution (as amended), which allows legislators to switch parties if there is a division within their political party.
The lawmakers further criticised the PDP-led state government under Governor Dauda Lawal, accusing it of failing to address insecurity and not fulfilling campaign promises.
“My decision is in line with Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), and is also based on the poor leadership of Governor Dauda Lawal, particularly his failure to address security challenges and fulfil campaign promises,” the letters added.
