A member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Shamsuddeen Hassan Basko, has defected from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), citing deep-seated internal crises and poor leadership within the ruling party.
Basko, who represents Talata-Mafara North Constituency, announced his defection during plenary at the state assembly. His decision was formally communicated through a resignation letter addressed to the APC ward chairman in his constituency, with copies forwarded to party leaders at the local government and state levels.
In the letter, the lawmaker attributed his exit from the APC to what he described as persistent divisions, unresolved internal disputes and poor leadership structures at both the local and state levels of the party. He stated that these challenges had made meaningful participation difficult and no longer aligned with his personal political convictions or the development aspirations of his constituents.
According to him, the continued internal wrangling within the APC had weakened cohesion and undermined effective representation, prompting his decision to seek a new political platform. He expressed appreciation to the party for the opportunities he had while he was a member but maintained that remaining in APC was no longer tenable.
Basko’s defection is the latest in a series of political realignments in Zamfara State, reflecting ongoing tensions within the APC following recent electoral developments. Observers note that the move may have implications for the party’s strength in the state assembly, especially as the PDP currently controls the state government.
The development further underscores the deepening internal challenges facing the APC in Zamfara, as defections and internal disputes continue to reshape the state’s political landscape.