Eight Zamfara Lawmakers Leave APC Over Insecurity and Unpaid Salaries

Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have left the All Progressives Congress. They say they are unhappy about rising insecurity, unfair treatment, and not getting their salaries and allowances.

The lawmakers shared their decision in a statement on Sunday. They feel they can no longer stay in a party that has not properly tackled the security problems facing people in the state.

The lawmakers who resigned include Aliyu Kagara from Talata Mafara South, Ibrahim Bakura from Bakura, Faruk Dosara from Maradun I, and Bashir Masama from Bukkuyum North.

Also resigning are Muktaru Kaura from Kaura North, Nasiru Abdullahi from Maru North, Bashar Bello from Bungudu West, and Bashar Aliyu from Gummi I.

They mentioned that their decision was also due to the failure to solve what they call a worsening welfare crisis for both themselves and their constituents.

Kagara noted that lawmakers have not received salaries, allowances, or other benefits for 32 months.

"This is our 32 months without salary, allowances and other entitlements as honourable members and the people of Zamfara; the ball is in their court," he said.

He continued, "Whether they enjoy what is happening or not, they are in the best position to take action, and they need not be told."

Kagara criticized Governor Dauda Lawal’s government for how it has dealt with insecurity, especially in rural areas.

"What we are challenging Governor Lawal’s administration about is even worse now compared to previous times, so we have seen no reason to continue remaining in the APC," he stated.

"Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention."

On the other hand, the APC said it has not received official copies of the resignation letters from the lawmakers.

Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, the party's Publicity Secretary in Zamfara, said they only saw the letters on social media. They are waiting for official communication from the lawmakers' political wards and local government executives.

"We are still waiting for their correspondence from their respective political wards after reaching their local government executives, which would later be forwarded to us," Birnin-Magaji told Daily Trust.

He added, "We all saw it on social media platforms, but whenever we receive the copies officially, we would communicate with you on our stand."

According to him, the party was not aware of any issues from the lawmakers before the resignation letters appeared.

Reports say the APC suspended the lawmakers before their resignation. They were accused of trying to impeach the Speaker of the state House of Assembly about a year ago.