“PDP Is Dead, We Cannot Risk Our Political Future” – Defecting Zamara Lawmakers Declare

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Six suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly on Thursday December 25, 2025, announced their resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and subsequent defection to the rival All Progressive Congress, APC.

The Source reports that the affected Lawmakers were about two years ago axed by the leadership of the Legislative body loyal to Governor Dauda Lawal pover alleged anti-party activities and acts considered to be inimical to the interest of the House.

Since their purported suspension, they have been operating mainly from Kaduna State where they periodically meet under the leadership of their factional Speaker, Rt Hon Bashir Aliyu Gummi.

In their separate letters of defection submitted late Wednesday evening December 24, 2023, to Speaker Gummi, the estranged Lawmakers cited their almost two years of suspension and the festering leadership and internal crises rocking the PDP as major reasons for their action.

The defected members who tendered their letters include the factional Speaker Rt Hon Gummi, representing Gummi 1 state Constituency, Hon Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), Barr. Bashir Abubakar Masama,(Bukkuyum North), Hon Bashir Bello, member representing Bungudu West , Hon Amiru Ahmad Keta, Tsafe Waesr,and Hon Muktar Nasir Kaura, representing Kaura state Constituency.

The suspended legislators informed that their decision to formally join the ruling party at the centre was reached  during their meeting on Wednesday December 24 in Gusau ,the state capital , noting that after deliberating on the poor management of the House , and arriving at the unfortunate conclusion that the legislative arm of Government has since compromised its duties by way of serving as a rubber stamp to Governor Lawal ,they have no other choice than to join forces with the APC.

“Following the receipt of defection letters from the six ( 6) Hon members including myself ,I wish to formally congratulate everyone of us for joining the Progressives in the country that is the All Progressive Congress APC. May the decision be the beginning of success and development of our dear state and Nigeria at large.

“I consider this bold decision as a wise one that will promote political stability of our dear state and Nigeria at large.

“However our collective decision to dump our former party, PDP, and join the APC marks a new political era in Zamfara state where members of a ruling party defect to the opposition.

“PDP is dead. It is only waiting for burial arrangements in the country because the current leadership has deviated from the manifestos and original purpose which it’s founding fathers enunciated.

“We cannot, therefore, trade our good reputation and political career on the collateral failure caused be selfish individuals. On that note, we have exited in order to move forward”.

The Lawmakers expressed serious concern and regrets that for over two years the faction of the House loyal to the Governor has been taken decisions without their inputs ,as well as denying their constituents representation.

According to them, the legislative body under the influence of Governor Lawal has been passing laws and resolutions without forming quorum, a development which they described as illegal, null and void.

This is as they called on the appropriate authorities, particularly, the National Assembly to urgently look into the situation in the state’s Legislative body with a view to righting the wrong of over two years.