APC Faces Fresh Defections in Zamfara as Eight Lawmakers Quit Party Amid Security and Injustice Claims

The political landscape ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections has recorded another significant development, as eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have announced their resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers cited worsening insecurity, alleged injustice, unpaid salaries and allowances, and concerns over the welfare of their constituents as reasons for their decision. The development comes at a politically sensitive period as parties and political blocs intensify preparations for the 2027 elections. 

The lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara of Talata Mafara South, Ibrahim Tukur Bakura of Bakura, Faruk Musa Dosara of Maradun I, Bashir Abubakar Masama of Bukkuyum North, Muktaru Nasiru Kaura of Kaura North, Nasiru Abdullahi of Maru North, Bashar Bello of Bungudu West and Bashar Aliyu of Gummi I. 

According to reports, the lawmakers said they could no longer continue under the APC while their communities were facing persistent security challenges. They specifically raised concerns about insecurity in rural communities and what they described as inadequate attention to the plight of residents.

One of the lawmakers, Aliyu Kagara, reportedly alleged that members had gone for about 32 months without receiving salaries, allowances and other entitlements. These claims formed part of the grievances presented as justification for their departure from the ruling party. 

The development is particularly noteworthy because one of the defecting lawmakers is described as an ally of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari.

Yari's political relevance has increased considerably ahead of the 2027 presidential election. In August 2026, the APC formally constituted its Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid, with Tinubu as chairman, Vice-President Kashim Shettima as vice-chairman and Abdul’aziz Yari appointed Director-General of the campaign council. 

Consequently, the resignation of a Yari ally among the eight lawmakers has attracted additional attention, particularly because Zamfara remains an important political battleground and the APC is seeking to consolidate its structures ahead of the 2027 contest.

However, it would be premature to conclude that the defections are evidence of a broader ethnic or religious revolt within the APC or that the lawmakers left specifically because of Vice-President Kashim Shettima. The publicly reported reasons given by the lawmakers centre on insecurity, alleged injustice and unpaid entitlements, rather than opposition to Shettima's background or political position. 

There is also an important qualification from the APC itself. The party's Zamfara publicity secretary, Ibrahim Danmadamin Birnin Magaji, reportedly said the party had not yet received formal notification from the lawmakers through the appropriate party structures and had only seen the resignation letters circulating on social media. 

That means the political significance of the development will depend partly on what happens next. The lawmakers have not, at the time of reporting, publicly announced which political platform they intend to join.

Nevertheless, the episode illustrates the growing political realignment taking place across Nigeria ahead of 2027. The APC, opposition parties and emerging political coalitions are all facing internal negotiations, defections and competing interests as politicians position themselves for the next electoral cycle.

For the APC, the loss of eight state lawmakers in Zamfara represents a development that cannot simply be ignored, particularly when the defectors have publicly linked their decision to issues affecting their constituents.

Whether the lawmakers eventually join another political party, form a new alliance or remain politically independent could determine the next chapter of this unfolding Zamfara political story.

Sources: TheCable, Channels Television, State House and other reports cited above.