Eight Zamfara State lawmakers who resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) earlier this month are set to return to the ruling party after meeting President Bola Tinubu, in a fresh twist to the political crisis ahead of the 2027 general election.
The lawmakers met Tinubu on Sunday night, led by Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, alongside House of Representatives member Aminu Sani Jaji. They reportedly resolved to return to the APC and work for its success in the 2027 elections, following moves to address their grievances.
Their decision marks a reversal of their October 4 announcement to leave the APC, amid reports that they were considering joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The lawmakers had cited worsening insecurity, alleged injustice, internal divisions and the non-payment of salaries and allowances among the reasons for their decision to quit the ruling party. They accused the party of failing to adequately address security challenges affecting their constituents.
The defection threat also unfolded against a longstanding dispute involving the lawmakers and the leadership of the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
Speaker Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki subsequently disclosed that the affected legislators had been suspended since February 26, 2024, over allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, contempt of the House and holding an unauthorised sitting. The Assembly also extended their suspension in May 2026, citing unresolved disciplinary issues.
The lawmakers’ grievances and the Assembly’s disciplinary actions have remained competing accounts of the dispute. The allegations against them have not been presented here as established findings.
With efforts reportedly underway to resolve their complaints following the meeting with Tinubu, their planned return could help the APC contain further defections and strengthen its political position in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 polls.
The eight lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Ibrahim Tukur Bakura (Bakura), Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun I), Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Muktaru Nasiru Kaura (Kaura North), Nasiru Abdullahi (Maru North), Bashar Bello (Bungudu West) and Bashar Aliyu (Gummi I).
However, the reported agreement to return to the APC and the outcome of the proposed reconciliation had not been independently confirmed at the time of this report.
