In a significant political realignment, six serving members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have formally defected from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). This move is not merely a routine party switch but is rooted in profound allegations of constitutional breach and the collapse of democratic oversight within the state’s legislature.
Reported by Hussaina Yakubu
Kaduna, Dec. 25, 2025
The lawmakers announced their defection during a sitting of their parallel assembly in Gusau on Wednesday. They presented a damning indictment of the state’s political operations, citing “alleged disregard and disrespect to the nation’s constitution” by the recognized faction of the House as a primary reason for their exit.
Core Allegations: A Legislature as a ‘Rubber Stamp’
The defectors articulated a detailed critique, asserting that the legislative arm under the recognized leadership has “compromised its duties by serving as an extension of the Governor’s office and a rubber stamp to Gov. Dauda Lawal.” This accusation strikes at the heart of the separation of powers, a fundamental democratic principle designed to provide checks and balances on executive authority. When a legislature fails in this role, it can lead to unchecked governance and the erosion of public accountability.
The Context of a Two-Year Suspension and a Parallel Assembly
A critical revelation is that the six lawmakers claim to have been “illegally suspended for about two years.” This lengthy suspension effectively silenced the voices of their constituents. In response, they formed a parallel legislative body—a rare and extreme step in Nigerian politics that underscores the depth of the institutional breakdown. They tendered their defection letters before the factional Speaker of this parallel assembly, Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi.
The Defectors and Their Gravitas
The group includes figures of considerable political weight within the state:
– Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Factional Speaker & Member, Gummi 1)
– Hon. Nasiru Maru (Maru North)
– Hon. Bashir Masama (Bukkuyum North)
– Hon. Bashir Bello (Bungudu West)
– Hon. Amiru Keta (Tsafe West)
– Hon. Mukhtar Kaura (Kaura Namoda North)
Their collective exit represents a major depletion of the PDP’s bench in the state assembly and lends significant credibility to the opposition APC.
Legal and Procedural Challenges
The lawmakers made a serious legal claim: that the recognized faction has been passing laws “without forming the required quorum,” rendering such legislation “null and void.” They have called upon the National Assembly to intervene, investigate, and restore “order and rule of law” in Zamfara’s legislature. This appeal to a higher legislative authority highlights a state-level impasse that requires federal resolution.
Rationale for Joining the APC
Beyond the critique of the PDP, the defectors framed their move to the APC as a positive pursuit of “justice, fair play, harmony and inclusiveness.” They expressed a desire to work for the “growth and development of the state and welfare of their constituents” from within a new political framework.
In accepting the defections, factional Speaker Gummi framed the decision as historic: “Our collective decision… marks a new political era in Zamfara where members of the ruling party defect to the opposition which has changed the tradition.” This statement suggests a perceived shift in the state’s political momentum.
Broader Political Implications
The defectors delivered a fatalistic prognosis for the PDP in Zamfara, declaring it “dead” and “only waiting for burial arrangements.” They attributed this to a derailment from party manifestos, protracted internal crises, and leadership failures at all levels. Furthermore, they directly criticized Governor Dauda Lawal for a “nonchalance to the issue of insecurity”—a paramount concern in Zamfara—and accused him of being preoccupied with political battles against the former governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle.
Constitutional Justification
The lawmakers anchored their defection in Section 109 (1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides for circumstances under which a legislator can change parties without losing their seat. By invoking this clause, they are seeking to legitimize their move and shield themselves from potential legal challenges questioning the validity of their defection.
This analysis is based on a report from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani.
Source: NAN News
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