Nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have resigned their membership of the All Progressives Congress and defected to the African Democratic Congress, deepening the political crisis surrounding the state government ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The lawmakers said their decision followed prolonged disagreements over insecurity, governance and what they described as the failure of the political structure to adequately respond to the difficulties facing residents across the state.
The development represents a significant blow to the APC’s structure in Zamfara, coming at a time when political parties are already repositioning ahead of the 2027 elections.
The lawmakers involved include Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata-Mafara South; Muktar Nasir, popularly known as Jikan Shehu, representing Kaura Namoda North; Faruk Dosara Musa, representing Maradun I; and Basiru Bello, representing Bungudu West.
Others are Bashir A. Masama of Bukkuyum North, Ibrahim T. Tukur of Bakura, Nasiru Abdullahi of Maru North, Yusuf Muhammad Anka of Anka and Bashar Aliyu of Gummi I.
The lawmakers had been involved in a long-running disagreement with Governor Dauda Lawal, with the dispute reportedly dating back more than two years.
Security has remained at the centre of the disagreement.
The lawmakers have maintained that the worsening insecurity in parts of Zamfara required stronger and more urgent action from the state government and that their concerns were not adequately addressed.
They said they raised the issue of insecurity during proceedings of the State House of Assembly but that their position created further tension between them and the governor.
Kagara, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the lawmakers became dissatisfied after what they described as an inadequate response to the security situation and the plight of residents.
The disagreement, according to their account, eventually contributed to their suspension from the Assembly.
The lawmakers have also alleged that some party leaders worked against them and that they were denied a fair opportunity to present their grievances within the party structure.
Their complaints reportedly extended beyond insecurity to include concerns about internal divisions, alleged injustice, uncertainty and what they described as poor leadership.
In separate resignation letters dated October 4, some of the lawmakers formally announced their withdrawal from the APC.
The letters contained similar reasons for their decisions, with insecurity and internal disagreements among the issues repeatedly highlighted.
Dosara, for example, cited divisions among party stakeholders, uncertainty and what he described as the government’s inability to overcome the security challenges affecting his constituency and the state.
Other lawmakers similarly pointed to insecurity, injustice and concerns over governance.
The lawmakers’ decision to join the ADC comes as the opposition party continues efforts to build a stronger political presence ahead of the 2027 elections.
The ADC has attracted political figures from different parts of Nigeria as opposition politicians seek alternative platforms for the next electoral contest.
The movement of nine serving or formerly suspended lawmakers into the party could provide the ADC with additional political visibility in Zamfara and strengthen its grassroots organisation.
However, the political implications of the defection are likely to go beyond the immediate change of party affiliation.
Zamfara has remained one of Nigeria’s most severely affected states in the country’s prolonged security crisis, with communities facing attacks, kidnapping, displacement and disruption of economic activities.
The insecurity has also affected farming, with residents in some communities facing difficulties accessing farmlands because of fear of attacks.
For lawmakers representing affected constituencies, security has therefore become an increasingly important political issue.
The defecting lawmakers have used the security situation as one of the major reasons for their decision to abandon the APC.
Their position suggests that insecurity could become a major campaign issue in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 election.
The political disagreement has also produced a competing account from the leadership of the State House of Assembly.
The Speaker, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, said the lawmakers had been suspended long before their recent defection.
He said the suspension dates back to February 26, 2024, and was linked to allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief and contempt of the House.
The Speaker also alleged that the lawmakers were involved in an unauthorised sitting and other actions relating to the Assembly premises and legislative chamber.
According to that account, their suspension was not a consequence of their decision to leave the APC because the disciplinary action had occurred years earlier.
This has added another dimension to the political dispute, with the defecting lawmakers presenting their suspension as part of the disagreement over their concerns about governance and insecurity, while the Assembly leadership maintains that the suspension arose from alleged misconduct.
The conflicting accounts are expected to remain part of the political debate as the lawmakers begin their activities under the ADC.
The defections also come at a sensitive period for the APC, which is preparing for the 2027 elections and seeking to maintain its political strength across the states.
The loss of lawmakers can affect party organisation, particularly when serving legislators have established relationships with constituents and local political structures.
For the ADC, however, the development provides an opportunity to expand its presence in Zamfara and position itself as an alternative for politicians dissatisfied with the established parties.
The movement could also encourage other politicians and political stakeholders to reconsider their affiliations as the 2027 election approaches.
Party defections are not unusual in Nigerian politics, especially before major elections. Politicians frequently move between parties because of disagreements over nominations, internal party leadership, political alliances or the performance of governments.
However, the Zamfara development stands out because the lawmakers have publicly connected their decision to security concerns affecting their constituencies.
The issue of insecurity is particularly sensitive in the state because of the prolonged activities of armed groups operating in several communities.
Residents have repeatedly demanded stronger protection, better intelligence gathering and more effective coordination between security agencies and government authorities.
The lawmakers’ complaints therefore touch on an issue that directly affects the daily lives of many residents.
Beyond politics, the continuing security crisis has serious economic consequences.
Farmers unable to safely access their fields may lose income and food production can decline. Traders and transport operators can also face additional risks when travelling through vulnerable areas.
Schools and healthcare services may equally be disrupted when communities are threatened by attacks.
The political debate over insecurity is therefore likely to remain intense as the 2027 election approaches.
Candidates and parties will be expected to explain how they intend to protect communities and restore confidence among residents.
For the defecting lawmakers, leaving the APC is being presented as a response to what they believe is a failure to adequately address those concerns.
The move to the ADC also signals that the lawmakers are positioning themselves within a new political alliance before the next election cycle reaches its peak.
Whether the defection will translate into significant electoral gains for the ADC remains uncertain.
The strength of any political party ultimately depends on its ability to maintain grassroots structures, mobilise voters and present credible candidates across constituencies.
The lawmakers will also have to convince their constituents that changing political parties will produce better representation and tangible improvements in their communities.
Meanwhile, the APC and state authorities face the challenge of managing the political consequences of the defections while continuing to address security concerns.
The disagreement also demonstrates how insecurity can become intertwined with internal party politics, particularly when elected representatives believe government responses are inadequate.
As the 2027 elections draw closer, similar political realignments are expected across the country.
Zamfara is likely to remain an important political battleground because of the seriousness of its security challenges and the intense competition among political parties seeking influence in the state.
The nine lawmakers’ movement from the APC to the ADC has therefore opened another chapter in the state’s political contest.
While the lawmakers have cited insecurity, welfare concerns, internal divisions and alleged injustice as reasons for their departure, the Assembly leadership has presented a different account of the circumstances surrounding their suspension.
The competing claims will likely continue to shape political discussions in the state as both sides attempt to explain the development to voters.
For now, the defections have strengthened the ADC’s presence in the Zamfara political landscape and created another challenge for the APC as parties prepare for the 2027 elections.
More importantly, the dispute has once again placed the state’s security crisis at the centre of political discussion, highlighting the growing pressure on political leaders to provide effective solutions to the insecurity affecting communities across Zamfara.
