Zamfara lawmakers leave APC, cite insecurity and governance failings amid dispute over number

A group of members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly announced they were leaving the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing escalating insecurity and what they described as unfair treatment by party and state leaders.

Reports disagree on how many legislators resigned. Two outlets say eight assembly members quit the APC, while another reports six departures. One source says the legislators made their decision public in a joint statement; another says individual resignation letters dated October 4 were sent to the chairmen of their respective constituencies.

Reasons for exit

Across the accounts, the defecting lawmakers pointed to worsening insecurity in Zamfara as a key factor in their decision. They also complained of perceived injustice and poor leadership within the state government and party structures. Two reports additionally say the lawmakers raised concerns about unpaid salaries and allowances.

One media outlet added that among those leaving is an ally of former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari; that detail is not mentioned in the other reports and is attributed here to that single source.

What the departures mean

The resignations highlight growing tensions within Zamfara’s ruling party amid a security crisis that has affected large parts of the state. Lawmakers’ public disaffection could further complicate efforts by state and federal authorities to present a united front on security and governance challenges.

It is not clear from the reports whether the defecting legislators have joined another political party or will sit as independents. The coverage does not include immediate responses from APC state or national officials, nor from the Zamfara State House of Assembly leadership.

Background and next steps

Zamfara has been grappling with violent attacks by armed groups and bandits for several years, a factor that has strained relations between elected officials and the communities they represent. The lawmakers’ departures underscore political friction tied to how the crisis has been handled and to internal party disputes.

At least one report said the resignations were presented in formal letters dated October 4; others described a joint public statement. The discrepancy over the number of lawmakers involved — six versus eight — remains unresolved in the available coverage.

Officials, party representatives or the assembly members themselves have not issued unified details clarifying the precise number of resignations or the lawmakers’ next political moves. Further reporting would be required to confirm which members left, whether they will seek new affiliations, and how the vacancies or shifts will affect legislative business in Zamfara.