Six members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, who were suspended nearly two years ago, have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers, elected on the PDP platform, cited alleged constitutional breaches and an internal crisis within the state legislature as reasons for their defection.
The defectors, including factional Speaker Bashar Aliyu Gummi, announced their decision in Gusau, the state capital, after a meeting to discuss the poor management of the legislative arm of government. They alleged that the Zamfara House of Assembly has compromised its constitutional role and now functions as an extension of the executive under Governor Dauda Lawal. According to the suspended lawmakers, their suspension denied constituents representation, prompting them to form a parallel faction of the House to challenge legislative and executive irregularities. They also claimed that the remaining members have been passing laws and making decisions without the required quorum, rendering those laws null and void.
The six defectors—Bashar Aliyu Gummi, Nasiru Abdullahi Maru, Bashir Abubakar, Bashir Bello, Amiru Ahmad Keta, and Muktar Nasir Kaura—called on the National Assembly to intervene and investigate the situation to ensure adherence to the rule of law in the Zamfara legislature. They said they were attracted to the APC by its principles of justice, fairness, inclusiveness, and political harmony, which they believe will enable them to better serve their constituents and contribute to the state’s development. In addition, they cited insecurity in Zamfara and distractions within the PDP as factors in their decision to leave the party, referencing Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the legal basis for their defection.
The move is a significant development in Zamfara’s political landscape, with potential implications for the balance of power in the legislature. The National Assembly’s response to the lawmakers’ call for intervention will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for addressing similar issues in other state legislatures. With the APC gaining strength in the state, the PDP will need to regroup and reassess its strategy to remain competitive in Zamfara’s political arena.
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