Six members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), blaming deep internal crises within the PDP and what they described as poor leadership under the current state administration.
The lawmakers announced their defection on Thursday through separate letters addressed to the Speaker of the House.
Those who left the PDP 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)”, the legislators said persistent and unresolved internal disputes within the PDP compelled their decision.
They explained that the crisis in the party had led to factional leadership, making it difficult for them to effectively operate under the party’s platform.
One of the letters read: “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.”
The lawmakers said their defection was in accordance with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
They cited Section 109(1)(g), which permits a member of a legislative house to defect from their political party if there is a division within the party.
Beyond internal party issues, the legislators also criticised the PDP-led government in Zamfara State, accusing Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration of poor governance.
According to them, the government has failed to effectively tackle insecurity in the state and has fallen short of delivering on its campaign promises.
Another part of the letters stated: “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 defection is expected to further reshape the political landscape in the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
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