In a significant political realignment, six serving members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Zamfara State House of Assembly have officially crossed over to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The lawmakers announced their defection in Gusau, the state capital, on January 1, 2026, delivering a scathing critique of their former party's leadership and the state government's approach to security and legislative integrity.
Constitutional Disregard and Rubber-Stamp Legislature Cited
The defecting legislators presented their letters to the factional Speaker, Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi, who is also among those switching parties. They outlined their primary reasons for leaving the PDP, centering on what they described as a blatant disregard for the nation's constitution by the state's legislative arm.
They accused the current house leadership of compromising its duties by acting merely as an extension of the governor's office and a rubber stamp for Governor Dauda Lawal. The members revealed they had been illegally suspended for approximately two years, which they said silenced their constituents. During this period, they formed a parallel assembly to challenge the alleged illegalities of the government-recognized faction and the executive.
The six defected lawmakers are:
- Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Factional Speaker)
- Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Gummi 1)
- Barr. Bashir Abubakar Masama (Maru North)
- Hon. Bashir Bello (Bukkuyum North)
- Hon. Amiru Ahmad Keta (Bungudu West)
- Hon. Muktar Nasir Kaura (Kaura North)
They asserted that decisions and laws passed by the other faction, in collaboration with the governor, were invalid because they were made without forming the legally required quorum. The group has called on the National Assembly to investigate and restore order and the rule of law in the Zamfara legislature.
'PDP is Dead' - Lawmakers Decry Party Collapse and Insecurity
After reading the defection letters, Speaker Gummi declared the move a step towards progress. He framed their collective decision as a historic shift in Zamfara's politics, where ruling party members defect to the opposition.
In a bold proclamation, he stated, "PDP is dead; it is only waiting for burial arrangements in the country." He attributed this 'death' to a leadership that has derailed from the party's original manifesto and founding principles, leading to protracted internal crises that have destroyed the party at all levels.
The lawmakers expressed their unwillingness to tie their political careers to what they called a 'collateral failure' caused by selfish individuals within the PDP. They cited justice, fair play, harmony, and inclusiveness as the values that attracted them to the APC, allowing them to focus on state development and their constituents' welfare.
A major point of contention highlighted in their letters was the state's security situation. They criticized Governor Dauda Lawal for his perceived nonchalance towards the insecurity plaguing Zamfara. They accused him of being perpetually engrossed in a political fight with the Hon. Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, ostensibly to secure his position beyond 2027, while security challenges persist.
Implications for Zamfara and National Politics
This mass defection underscores the deepening crisis within the PDP, both in Zamfara State and at the national level. The lawmakers pointed to the confusion over who leads the party nationally as a sign of its disarray.
They justified their move by invoking their fundamental right under Section 109 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). This political earthquake in Zamfara potentially alters the balance of power in the state assembly and sets a new precedent for cross-carpeting in the region.
The defection signals a strengthening of the APC's foothold in Zamfara while dealing a severe blow to the PDP's structure and morale in the state. It also brings the issues of legislative autonomy, constitutional compliance, and the government's handling of insecurity back into sharp focus ahead of the next electoral cycle.
