Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Gusau, Nigeria — In a significant political shift, the Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Isma’il Moriki, along with 12 members of the State Assembly, has formally defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The announcement was made during a plenary session in Gusau, where the lawmakers presented their letters of resignation from the PDP before declaring their allegiance to the APC. This move follows the recent defection of Governor Dauda Lawal from the PDP to the APC, a development that has already begun reshaping the state’s political landscape.
The defections were confirmed during proceedings on Monday, March 23, 2026, as the lawmakers officially informed the House of their decision. With this development, the State Assembly, which has 24 seats in total, now has a dominant APC presence, significantly altering the political dynamics in Zamfara. Among the lawmakers who moved with the Speaker are key leadership figures, including the Deputy Speaker, the Majority Leader, and the Chief Whip.
In explaining the decision, Speaker Moriki stated that the defecting lawmakers had consulted with their constituents and received broad support for the move. He emphasised that their defection was intended to foster unity, facilitate a smoother working relationship with the governor, and enhance the state’s ability to access federal resources for development and security initiatives.
The defections are part of a wider trend in Nigeria, where politicians frequently realign ahead of key elections or to strengthen their ties with the ruling party at the federal level. Governor Lawal’s earlier switch to the APC was a significant factor influencing the lawmakers’ decision, reflecting a strategic move to align state leadership with the federal government and to ensure greater coordination on policy and development priorities.
Zamfara State has a history of shifting political allegiances. Past elections and judicial decisions have at times overturned results, leading to changes in party control across both state and federal representation. Political analysts note that this latest realignment consolidates APC’s control in the state and diminishes the PDP’s influence, effectively removing it as a strong opposition force in the State Assembly.
Supporters of the defections argue that the unified party structure will improve governance, streamline legislative processes, and enhance development delivery across the state. By aligning the executive and legislative branches under a single party, proponents believe the state can implement projects more efficiently and coordinate security measures effectively, especially given ongoing challenges in the region.
Critics, however, warn that mass defections can weaken democratic checks and balances, reduce policy debate, and marginalise dissenting voices. They caution that a legislature dominated by one party may limit representation for minority views and undermine the accountability that robust opposition provides. Frequent party switching is seen by some observers as driven more by political expediency than by ideology or constituent interests.
As the newly aligned Assembly begins its session under the APC banner, attention will focus on how the legislature collaborates with the governor’s office on critical issues such as security, economic development, and public service delivery. The consolidation of power within one party is expected to have implications not only for state governance but also for political strategy ahead of national elections.
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