The political crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has intensified following the resignation of eight members of the State House of Assembly, who reportedly left the party after a prolonged suspension and unresolved disputes over their salaries, allowances and other legislative entitlements.
The development has renewed attention on internal disagreements within the ruling party in Zamfara, despite efforts by prominent party leaders to reconcile aggrieved members and strengthen unity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
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 were suspended on February 26, 2024, over allegations of conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House and convening an unauthorised sitting in violation of the Assembly’s Standing Orders.
According to Sani Shinkafi, an aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial District seat in the 2027 elections, the lawmakers’ decision to leave the APC was driven by the failure to resolve their suspension and pay their accumulated entitlements.
More Read
In a statement issued on the matter, Shinkafi dismissed suggestions that the lawmakers were close associates of former Zamfara State Governor and Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, arguing that the circumstances surrounding their departure should not be misrepresented as part of a political confrontation involving the former governor.
Prolonged Suspension and Unpaid Entitlements
Shinkafi explained that the suspended lawmakers had petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions, seeking intervention to secure their reinstatement and payment of outstanding salaries, allowances and other legislative benefits.
More Read
He said the lawmakers had remained suspended for an extended period without receiving their entitlements, prompting them to seek assistance from the National Assembly.
The dispute reportedly took on a new dimension in March 2026, when Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.
Shinkafi said the governor’s defection had raised expectations that the lingering disagreement would be resolved, as the principal political actors involved were now members of the same party.
However, according to him, efforts to achieve an amicable settlement failed, eventually contributing to the lawmakers’ decision to resign from the party.
Shinkafi Defends Senator Abdul’aziz Yari
Shinkafi also defended Senator Abdul’aziz Yari against criticism over the unresolved legislative crisis, insisting that the former governor had made efforts to facilitate reconciliation between the affected lawmakers and other political stakeholders.
He disclosed that Yari convened and presided over an APC stakeholders’ meeting at which the party’s political direction in Zamfara State and the suspension of the eight lawmakers were discussed.
More Read
According to Shinkafi, he used the meeting to appeal to Yari to engage Governor Lawal and seek a peaceful resolution of the dispute as the governor prepared to join the APC.
He said the intervention did not produce the desired outcome, although Yari subsequently provided financial assistance to the suspended lawmakers and continued to pursue reconciliation efforts behind the scenes.
Shinkafi described criticism of Yari over the matter as misplaced, arguing that the senator should not be held responsible for a dispute involving several political actors and institutions.
He further alleged that some political figures had been circulating misleading reports to undermine Yari’s influence within the party. These allegations were made by Shinkafi and could not be independently established from the information available.
Controversy Over ADC Governorship Candidate
The statement also addressed allegations circulating on social media that Yari was sponsoring the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Hon. Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi.
Sani Shinkafi rejected the allegation, describing it as false and politically motivated. He argued that the relationship between Yari and the ADC candidate had been misrepresented by political opponents.
He explained that Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi had family connections to Yari through the senator’s wife, who is a daughter of the late Umaru Shinkafi. He also cited the candidate’s family ties to former Kebbi State Governor and Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu, as well as other prominent political figures.
According to Sani Shinkafi, Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi previously sought the APC ticket for the Zamfara North Senatorial District seat ahead of the 2027 elections but was not cleared by the party’s screening committee.
He said the candidate subsequently defected to the ADC to pursue his governorship ambition.
The statement further noted that Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi had previously served as a commissioner under former Zamfara State Governor Bello Matawalle before resigning following his appointment as a federal commissioner in the National Assembly Service Commission.
Shinkafi also described the ADC candidate as a political ally of Matawalle, who currently serves as Minister of State for Defence.
The claims regarding the candidates’ political relationships, screening and alleged sponsorship were presented in Shinkafi’s statement and were not independently verified.
APC Unity Ahead of the 2027 Elections
Despite the latest developments, Shinkafi maintained that the APC remained strong and capable of managing its internal disagreements in Zamfara State.
He praised Yari’s political experience and leadership, describing him as a key figure in efforts to promote unity and reconciliation within the party.
Shinkafi also expressed support for President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima ahead of the 2027 presidential election, arguing that cooperation among party leaders would be essential to sustaining the APC’s political strength.
He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as misleading reports about Yari and the APC in Zamfara, while calling for greater political tolerance and unity.
However, the resignation of the eight lawmakers raises further questions about the party’s ability to resolve internal disputes as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the next general elections.
The circumstances surrounding the lawmakers’ departure, the status of their outstanding entitlements and the possibility of future reconciliation remain important issues to watch as the political situation in Zamfara State continues to evolve.
