Zamfara Lawmakers Return to APC After Meeting Tinubu

Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly who recently left the All Progressives Congress (APC) are going back to the party.

This change happened after they met with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, led the lawmakers to the meeting. Aminu Jaji, who represents Kaura Namoda/Birnin Magaji in the House of Representatives, also joined them.

The lawmakers include Aliyu Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Ibrahim Tukur (Bakura), Faruk Dosara (Maradun I), Bashir Masama (Bukkuyum North), Muktaru Kaura (Kaura North), Nasiru Abdullahi (Maru North), Bashar Bello (Bungudu West), and Bashar Aliyu (Gummi I).

Before this meeting, many expected them to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC) after they quit the APC. They mentioned issues like internal party problems and rising security threats in Zamfara's rural areas.

They also talked about the non-payment of their allowances and other entitlements by the assembly. The lawmakers faced a long power struggle in the State House of Assembly.

They were suspended by the Assembly leadership because they tried to remove the Speaker. But now, they say their issues are being resolved thanks to presidential reconciliation led by Mr Matawalle.

The lawmakers promised to support the party and help it win the 2027 elections. But one of them, Mr Abdullahi (Maru North), is already screened to run for the state legislature under the ADC.

Zamfara is one of Nigeria’s most politically unstable states. It is currently led by Dauda Lawal, who switched from the PDP earlier this year after defeating the sitting APC governor, Mr Matawalle, in the 2023 governorship election.

The APC in Zamfara has faced ongoing factional tensions among important party leaders. This includes former governors like Mr Matawalle and Abdul’aziz Yari, as well as federal lawmakers like Mr Jaji.

Political analysts see President Tinubu’s involvement as a key step to bring the party together for the 2027 elections.