ABUJA, Nigeria — Eight Zamfara State House of Assembly lawmakers who recently resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) have reportedly agreed to return to the ruling party following a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a significant political development ahead of the 2027 general election.
The lawmakers reportedly met with Tinubu on Sunday night, October 18, in a move aimed at resolving their grievances and securing their return to the APC after weeks of uncertainty over their political future.
The delegation was led by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, who was accompanied by a member of the House of Representatives, Aminu Sani Jaji.
The meeting reportedly resulted in an understanding that the lawmakers would abandon plans to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and instead return to the APC to work for the party’s success in the 2027 general election.
Efforts to address their grievances are reportedly underway following the meeting, although the specific concessions discussed and the terms of their proposed return have not been publicly disclosed.
The development follows the lawmakers’ resignation from the APC on October 4, when they cited worsening insecurity, alleged injustice, internal party disagreements and the prolonged non-payment of their salaries, allowances and other entitlements.
Aliyu Ango Kagara, who represents Talata Mafara South, had alleged that the lawmakers had gone 32 months without receiving their salaries and allowances. He also criticised the handling of insecurity in rural communities, arguing that the concerns of their constituents had not received adequate attention.
Their departure deepened the political crisis within the Zamfara APC and fuelled speculation about a possible realignment with opposition parties ahead of the next general election.
The eight lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara (Talata Mafara South), Ibrahim Tukur Bakura (Bakura), Faruk Musa Dosara (Maradun I), Bashir Abubakar Masama (Bukkuyum North), Muktaru Nasiru Kaura (Kaura North), Nasiru Abdullahi (Maru North), Bashar Bello (Bungudu West) and Bashar Aliyu (Gummi I).
Their reported decision to return to the APC could provide the party with an opportunity to resolve an internal dispute that threatened to weaken its position in Zamfara State ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the reported agreement remains subject to formal confirmation by the lawmakers and the party leadership. The precise outcome of the meeting with Tinubu, including whether all eight legislators have formally withdrawn their resignations, has not been independently verified.
The development comes as political parties intensify consultations and strategic positioning ahead of the 2027 general election, with internal disputes, defections and reconciliation efforts continuing to shape Nigeria’s political landscape.
