Nine Zamfara Assembly members defect to APC

Nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing disagreements over insecurity and what they described as inadequate concern for the welfare of residents.

One of the lawmakers, Aliyu Ango Kagara, who represents Talata Mafara South Constituency, said their disagreement with Governor Dauda Lawal was triggered by security challenges in the state and concerns over the plight of the people.

Kagara said the lawmakers’ decision to raise the issue of insecurity on the floor of the Assembly did not go down well with the governor, leading to disagreements and their subsequent suspension.

“Because of the lack of security and lack of concern for the people of Zamfara, we raised the issue in the House, which did not go down well with the governor.

“That was why we had issues with him, which led to our suspension and later defection to the APC,” Kagara said.

The lawmaker, however, said their defection to the APC did not resolve their grievances, alleging that some party leaders had conspired against them and denied them a fair hearing.

The lawmakers who defected are Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Muktar Nasir, popularly known as Jikan Shehu, representing Kaura Namoda North; Faruk Dosara Musa, representing Maradun I; and Basiru Bello, representing Bungudu West.

Others are Barrister Bashir A. Masama, representing Bukkuyum North; Ibrahim T. Tukur, representing Bakura; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Yusuf Muhammad Anka, representing Anka; and Rt. Hon. Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.