Six suspended Zamfara Assembly members dump PDP, defect to APC (Photos)

 

Six serving members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, alleging persistent disregard for the Constitution and poor management of the legislature.

The lawmakers announced their defection late Wednesday, December 24, 2025, in Gusau, the state capital, after a joint meeting.

They accused the House leadership of compromising its constitutional duties and operating as an extension of the executive arm under Governor Dauda Lawal.

Speaking after submitting separate letters of defection to the factional Speaker, Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi, the lawmakers said they had been “illegally suspended” for nearly two years, a situation they claimed had denied their constituents representation.

According to them, the suspension forced them to form a parallel House of Assembly to challenge what they described as illegal actions by both the government-recognised faction of the legislature and the executive. 

The defectors are Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Gummi I), Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), Barr. Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Hon. Bashir Bello (Bungudu West), Hon. Amiru Ahmad Keta (Tsafe West) and Hon. Muktar Nasir Kaura (Kaura North).

They alleged that the current faction of the House loyal to the governor has been passing bills and taking major decisions without the constitutionally required quorum, insisting that such actions are null and void.

The lawmakers called on the National Assembly to intervene and investigate the crisis in the Zamfara legislature, urging it to take steps to restore order and uphold the rule of law.

Explaining their decision to join the APC, the lawmakers cited justice, fairness, inclusiveness and political harmony, saying the move would enable them to better serve their constituents and contribute to the development of the state.

Reading the defection letters, Hon. Gummi congratulated his colleagues, describing the move as a “bold and wise decision” that would promote political stability and development in Zamfara State and the country at large.

The lawmakers were also critical of the PDP, declaring that the party had been weakened by internal crises and poor leadership at the national level. They said they could no longer risk their political careers in what they described as a party that had deviated from its founding ideals.

They further accused Governor Lawal of paying inadequate attention to insecurity in the state, alleging that he was more focused on political battles, including his rift with the Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

The lawmakers said their defection was in line with Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which permits lawmakers to defect in the event of division within their party.

https://dailynigerian.com/6-zamfara-assembly-members-dump-pdp-for-apc-cite-constitutional-breaches/#google_vignette