Zainab Ali
On Thursday, December 4, a member representing Talata Mafara North constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Shamsuddeen Basko, defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Talata Mafara is the hometown of former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari.
Basko’s defection was announced through a letter addressed to the APC Chairman of Galadima Ward, Talata Mafara Local Government Area. In the letter, he cited deepening crises and poor leadership within the APC at both the local government and state levels as the reason for his decision.
In the letter titled “Resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, the lawmaker said persistent internal conflicts had hindered effective participation in party activities.
He stated that after careful reflection on the party’s activities, divisions and leadership challenges at the local and state levels, he resolved to disengage from the APC in order to pursue political interests that align with his convictions.
Basko said his defection was in the best interest of the people of his constituency, while expressing gratitude for the opportunities he enjoyed during his stay in the party.
“I remain grateful for the opportunities and experiences I have gained while being a member of the party,” he said.
He urged the ward leadership to treat the letter as his formal notice of exit, adding that copies were also forwarded to the APC chairmen at the state and local government levels.
Zamfara State has witnessed sustained political turbulence in recent years. The APC, once dominant in the state, has been weakened by internal divisions and factional struggles for control.
The state is currently governed by the PDP, following the victory of its candidate, Dauda Lawal, in the 2023 governorship election.