By Aminu Dalhatu
A political analyst in Zamfara State, Professor Abubakar Ahmad Abdullahi, says the resignation of eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly from the All Progressives Congress (APC) can have significant implications for the party’s political calculations ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Professor Abdullahi made the assessment in a statement on the political situation in the state, saying that, the lawmakers’ planned defection to the opposition could weaken APC structures linked to some of the party’s major political figures.
He said the development was a major setback for the APC, particularly in a state where the party is expected to deliver strong support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the resignations were an indication that, all may not be well within the Zamfara APC, especially amid longstanding disagreements among political camps associated with former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, former Governor Bello Matawalle among others.
Professor Abdullahi said the political crisis in the State House of Assembly had remained unresolved for a prolonged period, alleging that, efforts to reconcile the affected lawmakers with the state government were unsuccessful.
He argued that, governor Lawal, as the political leader of the state, should have played a more active role in resolving the disagreement, rather than allowing the crisis to persist.
The analyst said the affected lawmakers had grassroots influence in their constituencies and that, their movement to the opposition could pose a serious challenge to APC candidates in several constituencies across the state.
He noted that, the impact could be particularly significant in Zamfara West, where five of the eight lawmakers reportedly come from five of the six local government areas in the senatorial district.
Professor Abdullahi described the resignation of Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South, as particularly significant because of his longstanding political association with former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari.
He also said the resignation of Ibrahim T. Tukur, representing Bakura Constituency, could affect political calculations around former Governor Ahmad Sani Yarima Bakura among others.
The analyst recalled that, the eight lawmakers were suspended by the State House of Assembly on February 27, 2024, over alleged violations of the Assembly’s standing orders, allegations which the affected lawmakers had consistently denied.
He said the lawmakers had remained suspended for about 31 months without salaries and allowances, while several prominent individuals, including retired General Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, Islamic scholars and political leaders, had reportedly intervened to resolve the dispute.
Professor Abdullahi said the deeper challenge confronting the Zamfara APC was the continued division among its major political blocs, particularly the camps associated with Yari and Matawalle.
He warned that if the divisions were not addressed, the APC could face serious difficulties in securing victory in Zamfara in 2027, including the possibility of reduced support for President Tinubu.
Professor Abdullahi therefore called on President Tinubu to intervene by bringing Governor Dauda Lawal, Abdul’aziz Yari and Bello Matawalle to a roundtable aimed at resolving the divisions and rebuilding the APC ahead of the 2027 elections.
Editing By Yusuf Zubairu
