The member representing Mafara North in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Shamsuddeen Hassan Basko, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
His defection was formally announced on Thursday during plenary by the Speaker of the Assembly, as Governor Dauda Lawal presented the 2026 proposed budget.
The move marks another setback for the APC and further dents the political influence of former Governor Abdulaziz Abubakar Yari, whose camp has suffered a series of political losses in recent months. Mr Hassan, who represents Mr Yari’s constituency, said he left the party due to worsening internal crises and poor leadership at both the local government and state levels.
In a letter dated 3 December 2025 and addressed to the APC chairman of Galadima Ward, Talata Mafara Local Government Area, the lawmaker announced his resignation, noting that persistent divisions and lack of direction within the party had hindered effective political participation.
“After careful reflection on the activities, crisis, divisions, sidelining, and poor leadership of the party from the local government and state levels, I have decided to step away from active participation in the party,” the letter read.
Mr Hassan added that his decision was in the best interest of his constituents, though he appreciated the opportunities he had during his time in the APC. He urged the ward leadership to consider the letter as his formal notice of exit and said copies of the correspondence had also been forwarded to the APC chairmen at the state and local government levels.
