President Bola Tinubu has met with eight Zamfara State lawmakers who recently resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), with the legislators agreeing to return to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general election.
The lawmakers met with the President on Sunday night after being led to him by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
It was learnt that a member of the House of Representatives, Aminu Sani Jaji, also accompanied them to the meeting.
The meeting came amid reports that the legislators were considering joining the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following their departure from the APC.
However, reports indicated that the lawmakers have shelved plans to join the opposition party and resolved to work for the APC’s success in the 2027 elections. Efforts are also underway to address the grievances that prompted their resignation.
The eight lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Ibrahim Tukur Bakura, representing Bakura; Faruk Musa Dosara, representing Maradun I; Bashir Abubakar Masama, representing Bukkuyum North; Muktaru Nasiru Kaura, representing Kaura North; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Bashar Bello, representing Bungudu West; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.
The lawmakers announced their resignation from the APC in October, citing insecurity, alleged poor leadership and other concerns over the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal.
In their resignation letters, the legislators accused the state government of failing to adequately address security challenges and provide sufficient support for residents affected by violence.
They also cited alleged disunity among APC stakeholders in the state, injustice, deception and uncertainty as reasons for leaving the party.
Ibrahim Tukur Bakura, in his resignation letter, said his decision followed careful consideration and consultations. He accused the governor of displaying what he described as a nonchalant attitude towards insecurity and providing poor leadership.
Similarly, Aliyu Ango Kagara said he resigned after consultations, citing alleged injustice, deception and the governor’s handling of the state’s affairs.
The lawmakers also expressed appreciation to the APC leadership and members for their support during their time in the party.
Their resignation came against the backdrop of a prolonged dispute within the Zamfara State House of Assembly.
An APC chieftain in the state, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, had earlier dismissed claims that the lawmakers were political allies of former Zamfara State governor, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari.
Shinkafi said the lawmakers had been suspended by the State House of Assembly on February 26, 2024, over allegations including gross misconduct, conspiracy, contempt of the House and convening an unauthorised sitting.
He also alleged that the dispute involved accusations of forceful entry into the offices of the Clerk and Sergeant-at-Arms, as well as the destruction of public property, which reportedly led to criminal proceedings.
According to Shinkafi, attempts by Yari and other APC stakeholders to resolve the dispute had failed, leaving the affected lawmakers without their salaries, allowances and other legislative entitlements. He said they subsequently petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions for intervention.
Shinkafi further disclosed that five of the eight lawmakers were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general election, while the remaining three won their seats on the APC platform.
Meanwhile, Yari was appointed Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council in August 2026 to lead the party’s mobilisation efforts for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
