Eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing worsening insecurity, alleged injustice and the non-payment of their salaries and allowances.
The lawmakers announced their decision in a statement, saying they could no longer continue with the ruling party because of what they described as its failure to adequately address the security challenges facing residents of the state.
Those who resigned include Aliyu Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Ibrahim Bakura, representing Bakura; Faruk Dosara, representing Maradun I; and Bashir Masama, representing Bukkuyum North.
Others are Muktaru Kaura, representing Kaura North; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Bashar Bello, representing Bungudu West; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.
The lawmakers said their decision followed growing concerns over the security situation in their constituencies and what they described as the failure of the APC administration to address issues affecting their constituents.
Kagara said the lawmakers had not received their salaries, allowances and other entitlements 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.
“Whether they enjoy what is happening or not, they are in the best position to take action, and they need not be told.”
Kagara also criticised the administration of Dauda Lawal, governor of Zamfara, over what he described as inadequate attention to insecurity in rural communities.
“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 said.
“Our constituents in rural areas who voted us into power to address their security concerns were not being given any attention.”
The Zamfara chapter of the APC, however, said it had yet to receive official copies of the lawmakers’ resignation letters.
Ibrahim Birnin-Magaji, the party’s publicity secretary in the state, said the lawmakers’ letters were yet to reach the party through the appropriate channels.
“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 said the party only became aware of the lawmakers’ decision after seeing the letters on social media.
“We all saw it on social media platforms, but whenever we receive the copies officially, we would communicate with you on our stand,” he said.
According to him, the party was not aware of any grievances from the lawmakers before the resignation letters emerged.
The lawmakers were reportedly suspended by the APC before their resignation following allegations that they had attempted to impeach the speaker of the state assembly about a year ago.
