Six Suspended Zamfara Lawmakers Defect from PDP to APC Citing Constitutional Breaches

Six suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, originally elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing alleged constitutional violations and internal crises within the state legislature.

The lawmakers announced their defection in Gusau, the state capital, following a meeting where they expressed concerns over the management of the legislative arm of government. They alleged that the House of Assembly has compromised its constitutional role, functioning increasingly as an extension of the executive under Governor Dauda Lawal.

The six defectors, who said their suspension nearly two years ago was “illegal,” claimed that their continued suspension has denied their constituents proper representation. They previously formed a parallel faction of the House to challenge what they described as irregular legislative and executive actions.

Those who defected include factional Speaker Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Gummi I), Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), Bashir Abubakar (Bukkuyum North), Bashir Bello (Bungudu West), Amiru Ahmad Keta (Tsafe West), and Muktar Nasir Kaura (Kaura North).

The lawmakers alleged that the remaining members of the Assembly have been passing laws and taking decisions without the constitutionally required quorum, rendering such actions null and void. They called on the National Assembly to investigate and ensure adherence to the rule of law in Zamfara’s legislature.

Explaining their choice of the APC, the defectors cited the party’s principles of justice, fairness, inclusiveness, and political harmony, which they said would allow them to better serve their constituents and contribute to state development.

Gummi congratulated the defecting lawmakers, describing the move as a step toward promoting political stability and development in Zamfara and the country at large. The lawmakers also referenced insecurity in the state and internal distractions within the PDP as reasons for their defection, citing Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as their legal basis.