Political defections reshape parties in Zamfara and Kwara ahead of 2027 elections

Nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly have defected to the All Progressives Congress, citing insecurity, disputes with Governor Dauda Lawal and what they described as insufficient concern for residents’ welfare, Channels Television reported. The lawmakers are Aliyu Kagara, Muktar Nasir, Faruk Dosara Musa, Basiru Bello, Bashir Masama, Ibrahim Tukur, Nasiru Abdullahi, Yusuf Anka and Bashar Aliyu. They represent constituencies including Talata Mafara South, Kaura Namoda North, Maradun I, Bungudu West, Bukkuyum North, Bakura, Maru North, Anka and Gummi I.

Kagara said the lawmakers had raised insecurity in the House, but that their criticism did not sit well with the governor. He said the dispute resulted in their suspension and eventual defection to the APC. The report does not provide the date of the suspension, details of the Assembly proceedings or a response from Lawal.

Kagara also said joining the APC did not resolve the lawmakers’ grievances. He alleged that some party leaders conspired against them and denied them a fair hearing. The supplied account does not state whether the nine lawmakers will retain their Assembly seats, whether the defection has altered the balance of power or how APC officials responded to the allegation.

A separate movement has taken place in Kwara, where hundreds of APC members in Alanamu Ward, Ilorin West Local Government Area, joined the Peoples Democratic Party at a rally on Saturday, according to Punch Nigeria. The members were drawn from different polling units and were formally received at the PDP ward secretariat. The Kwara defections followed Senator Saliu Mustapha’s resignation from the APC in August after a prolonged disagreement within the party.

Mustapha, who represents Kwara Central, later obtained the PDP ticket to contest the same senatorial seat in 2027. He had previously said his decision followed consultations with supporters, constituents and political stakeholders. AbdulRazaq Adio, who spoke for the new PDP members, said their decision was mainly driven by loyalty to Mustapha.

He also cited the influence of former Senate President Bukola Saraki and what he called the direction of the PDP in Kwara. Ward chairman Abdulgafar Alawo described the influx as a significant addition and urged the new members to participate actively rather than simply join ahead of the election. The two developments point to movement in opposite directions: lawmakers in Zamfara moving into the APC and grassroots members in Kwara moving into the PDP.

The reports present the defections as part of preparations for 2027, but do not establish their eventual electoral impact or indicate whether further switches are planned.