In a significant development, six members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers, who announced their decision through separate letters addressed to the Speaker of the House, cited deep internal crises within the PDP and poor governance in the state as reasons for their defection.
The defectors include Bashar Aliyu Gummi, Nasiru Abdullahi Maru, Bashir Abubakar Masama, Bashir Bello, Amiru Ahmad Keta, and Muktar Nasir Kaura. In their letters, they stated that persistent crises within the PDP, which have resulted in factional leadership, forced their decision to leave the party. They also accused the PDP-led government in Zamfara State, under Governor Dauda Lawal, of failing to address insecurity and fulfill campaign promises.
According to the lawmakers, their defection is in line with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution, specifically Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which allows a lawmaker to defect if there is a division within their political party. This section of the constitution has been invoked in similar cases in the past, where lawmakers have defected from one party to another due to internal party conflicts.
The defection of the six lawmakers is a significant blow to the PDP in Zamfara State, where the party has been facing internal conflicts and challenges in recent times. The development is also expected to boost the fortunes of the APC in the state, ahead of future elections. The poor governance and insecurity issues cited by the defectors are also major concerns for the people of Zamfara State, who have been affected by the activities of armed bands and other security challenges.
The Zamfara State government, under Governor Dauda Lawal, has been facing criticism over its handling of insecurity and other issues in the state. The government has promised to address these challenges, but the defectors’ accusations suggest that more needs to be done to restore confidence in the administration. As the political landscape in Zamfara State continues to evolve, the defection of the six lawmakers is likely to have significant implications for the future of politics in the state.