The political upheaval within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State has deepened, with 442 former councillors across the state announcing plans to leave the party.
The development comes barely 48 hours after nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly defected from the APC to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), in a fresh blow to the ruling party’s political structure in the state.
The former councillors, who represented 147 wards across the 14 Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, communicated their decision in a letter dated October 6, 2026, addressed to the APC leadership in the state.
The letter was signed by the Chairman of the Zamfara State Elected Councillors Forum, Hon. Abdullahi Bello Gwaram.
The group said the decision to leave the APC was collectively reached by the 442 former councillors, their supporters and political associates.
“On behalf of the 442 former councillors representing the 147 wards across the 14 Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, together with our respective members, supporters and political associates, we formally notify the leadership of the All Progressives Congress, Zamfara State Chapter, of our collective intention to defect from the APC to another political party,” the letter stated.
The former councillors said the notification was intended to formally communicate their decision to discontinue their political affiliation with the APC and pursue their political activities under a different platform.
However, the group did not disclose the political party it plans to join.
The former councillors said they chose to notify the APC leadership ahead of their formal defection in the interest of mutual respect, political engagement and democratic principles.
They also thanked the APC for the opportunities and experiences they had gained while operating under its platform, while wishing the party and its leadership well.
Nine lawmakers had earlier defected to ADC
The latest development follows the defection of nine members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly from the APC to the ADC.
The lawmakers’ move has heightened political tension within the Zamfara APC and raised fresh questions about the strength of the party’s structure ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The planned defection of the 442 former councillors could further weaken the APC’s grassroots structure, given their former positions across 147 wards and all 14 local government areas of the state.
The development also comes amid growing realignments among political actors ahead of the 2027 elections, with the ADC emerging as one of the platforms attracting politicians seeking alternatives to the major political parties.
The former councillors are expected to announce their new political platform in the coming days.
