A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly representing former Governor Abdulaziz Yari’s constituency, Shamsuddeen Hassan Basko, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His defection was formally announced on Thursday by the Speaker during the presentation of the 2026 proposed budget by Governor Dauda Lawal.
ThemomentNG reports that Hassan, who represents Mafara North, becomes the latest loyalist of Senator Abdulaziz Yari to abandon the APC amid growing internal crises.
Yari, a former governor of the state, has seen his influence wane since losing the contest for Senate President to Senator Godswill Akpabio two years ago.
The move further deepens the cracks within the Zamfara APC and further weakens Yari’s grip on the party structure. Hassan said he left the party due to what he described as “deepening crises and poor leadership” at both the local government and state levels.
In a letter dated December 3, 2025, addressed to the APC chairman of Galadima Ward, Talata Mafara Local Government Area, and titled “Resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC)”, the lawmaker lamented that persistent divisions had made effective participation impossible.
The letter reads: “After careful reflection of activities, crisis, divisions, sidelined and poor leadership of the party from local government and the state levels, I have decided to step away from active participation in the party.”
Hassan added that his decision was driven by a desire to pursue “commitments that align more closely” with his political beliefs and the developmental needs of his constituents.
The lawmaker said his departure, though difficult, was necessary for the progress of the people he represents. He expressed gratitude for the experiences gathered during his time in the ruling party.
Basko urged the ward leadership to treat the letter as his formal notice of exit from the APC, noting that copies had been transmitted to both the Zamfara State APC chairman and the Talata Mafara Local Government chairman.
See a copy of the resignation letter below.
