- According to them, legislative independence has been compromised, turning the House into a rubber stamp
- The lawmakers said this development forced them to form a parallel bloc within the Assembly
- the legislators said they were drawn to the APC because of what they described as its commitment to equity
Six suspended lawmakers of the Zamfara State House of Assembly elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have officially dumped the party for the All Progressives Congress (APC), blaming their decision on alleged constitutional violations and deepening internal turmoil within the state legislature.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the lawmakers made the announcement in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, after a closed-door meeting where they reviewed what they described as the continued breakdown of order and due process in the House of Assembly.
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The defectors accused the Assembly of abandoning its constitutional responsibilities, alleging that it now operates under the influence of the executive arm led by Governor Dauda Lawal.
According to them, legislative independence has been compromised, turning the House into a rubber stamp rather than a check on executive powers.
They further claimed that their suspension, which they described as unlawful and imposed nearly two years ago, effectively silenced their constituencies and denied thousands of residents proper representation.
The lawmakers said this development forced them to form a parallel bloc within the Assembly to confront what they termed legislative abuse and executive interference.
Among those who crossed over to the APC are factional Speaker Bashar Aliyu Gummi (Gummi I), Nasiru Abdullahi Maru (Maru North), Bashir Abubakar (Bukkuyum North), Bashir Bello (Bungudu West), Amiru Ahmad Keta (Tsafe West), and Muktar Nasir Kaura (Kaura North).
The lawmakers also alleged that the remaining members of the House have been passing resolutions and laws without meeting the constitutionally required quorum, insisting that such actions have no legal standing.
They called on the National Assembly to step in and probe the situation in order to safeguard constitutional democracy in Zamfara State.
Explaining their defection, the legislators said they were drawn to the APC because of what they described as its commitment to equity, justice, unity, and effective governance, which they believe will allow them to better serve their people and contribute meaningfully to the state’s development.
They also cited worsening insecurity in Zamfara and persistent internal distractions within the PDP as additional reasons for their exit, referencing Section 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) as the legal justification for their move.
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