Six serving members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), blaming what they described as poor party leadership, constitutional breaches and worsening insecurity in the state.
Gatekeepers News reports that the lawmakers announced their defection on Wednesday in Gusau, the state capital, after what they said were extensive deliberations on the management of the legislative arm, which they accused of functioning as an extension of Governor Dauda Lawal’s office.
In separate letters submitted 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 silenced their constituents and violated democratic principles.
They explained that the suspension compelled them to form a parallel House of Assembly, from where they have been challenging what they described as unconstitutional actions by both the government-recognised faction of the legislature and the executive arm.
The defectors include the factional Speaker, Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi; Hon. Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Gummi I); Barr. Bashir Abubakar Masama (Maru North); Hon. Bashir Bello (Bukkuyum North); Hon. Amiru Ahmad Keta (Bungudu West); and Hon. Muktar Nasir Kaura (Kaura North).
They alleged that the remaining faction of the Assembly, working with the governor, has been passing bills and taking legislative decisions without the constitutionally required quorum, rendering such actions null and void.
The lawmakers called on the National Assembly to intervene by investigating the situation and taking necessary steps to restore order and uphold the rule of law in the Zamfara State legislature.
Explaining their decision to join the APC, the lawmakers said the party’s emphasis on justice, fairness, harmony and inclusiveness motivated their defection, which they said would enable them to better serve their constituents and contribute to the development of the state.
After reading the defection letters, the Speaker, Hon. Bashar Aliyu Gummi, congratulated the lawmakers on their decision to join the APC.
“Following the receipt of defection letters from the six Hon. Members including myself, I wish to formally congratulate every one of us for joining the Progressives in the country, that is, the All Progressives Congress (APC). May the decision be the beginning of success and development of our dear state and Nigeria at large,” he said.
Gummi described the move as a bold and wise decision that would enhance political stability and usher in a new political era in Zamfara State.
“PDP is dead; it is only waiting for burial arrangements in the country because the current leadership is derailed from the party manifesto and the purpose for which its founding members put it in place,” he said.
“Today, the party is battling protracted internal crises that have already destroyed it at all levels. We cannot, therefore, trade our good reputation and political career for this collateral failure caused by selfish individuals.”
The lawmakers also accused Governor Lawal of neglecting the issue of insecurity in the state, alleging that he was more focused on political battles, particularly with the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle.
They further cited the ongoing leadership crisis within the PDP at the national level as part of their reasons for leaving the party, stating that their defection was in line with the provisions of Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
