President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the lingering political crisis rocking the Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), moving to reconcile eight aggrieved members of the State House of Assembly who recently announced their resignation from the ruling party.

The President met the affected lawmakers on Sunday evening at his official residence in the State House, Abuja, after weeks of political uncertainty over their decision to quit the APC over alleged injustice, prolonged suspension from legislative duties, and worsening insecurity in their constituencies.

The meeting, facilitated by the Minister of State for Defence and former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, appeared to pave the way for the lawmakers’ return to the ruling party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Hon. Ibrahim Tukur, who represents Bakura Constituency in the Zamfara State House of Assembly, said the lawmakers were satisfied with the President’s intervention and the assurances he gave them.

Tukur explained that Tinubu, whom he described as a father to all Nigerians, understood their predicament and took a personal interest in resolving the protracted dispute.

According to him, the President was already familiar with the circumstances surrounding their suspension from the Assembly, which he maintained followed their decision to raise concerns about the deteriorating security situation in the state.

“Mr President is the father of the nation, and we are the children to him”, Tukur said.

He explained that the lawmakers had suffered what they considered unjust treatment for more than 32 months, insisting that their ordeal began after they drew attention to security challenges confronting their constituents.

He said the President’s decision to invite them to discuss the issues had renewed their hope that their grievances would receive the attention they deserved.

Asked whether the delegation was satisfied with Tinubu’s intervention, the lawmaker responded: “Actually, we were satisfied, all of us”.

He said the President’s fatherly disposition and willingness to listen to their complaints reassured the delegation that the issues behind the disagreement could be addressed.

Tukur further disclosed that the lawmakers used the opportunity to brief Tinubu on other pressing security concerns in Zamfara State, particularly the challenges confronting communities affected by banditry and related criminal activities.

He said the President promised that the security situation would improve rapidly, expressing confidence in his commitment to addressing the concerns raised.

According to him, Tinubu’s intervention had also strengthened their confidence in his leadership and prospects in the 2027 presidential election.

The development comes barely two weeks after eight suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly announced their resignation from the APC on October 4, 2026, citing alleged injustice, insecurity, and non-payment of salaries and allowances.

The affected lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara, representing Talata Mafara South; Ibrahim Tukur, representing Bakura; Faruk Musa Dosara, representing Maradun I; and Bashir Abubakar Masama, representing Bukkuyum North.

Others are Muktaru Nasiru Kaura, representing Kaura North; Nasiru Abdullahi, representing Maru North; Bashar Bello, representing Bungudu West; and Bashar Aliyu, representing Gummi I.

The lawmakers had accused the state government of failing to adequately respond to the security challenges affecting their constituencies, particularly rural communities repeatedly targeted by armed bandits.

They maintained that their disagreement with Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration began when they raised concerns about insecurity on the Assembly floor, an action they claimed eventually led to their suspension.

The dispute dates back to February 26, 2024, when the Zamfara State House of Assembly indefinitely suspended eight members following allegations that they convened an unauthorised sitting in violation of the House’s Standing Orders.

The Assembly leadership subsequently accused the legislators of gross misconduct, conspiracy, contempt of the House and other breaches of legislative procedure.

However, the affected lawmakers rejected the allegations, saying their actions were driven by concerns about the safety and welfare of their constituents.

The controversy resurfaced earlier this month when the lawmakers announced their departure from the APC, complaining that their grievances remained unresolved despite their membership of the ruling party.

One of them, Kagara, alleged that they had been denied salaries, allowances and other entitlements for 32 months, describing their treatment as unfair.

Responding to the lawmakers’ accusations, Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Ismail Moriki, maintained that their suspension was strictly a disciplinary matter and had nothing to do with their political affiliation.

Moriki explained that the Assembly suspended the legislators over alleged violations of its rules, including claims that they forcibly entered legislative offices and convened an illegal sitting.

He disclosed that on May 13, 2026, the House extended their suspension for another legislative session because the disciplinary issues remained unresolved.

The Speaker also insisted that their decision to leave the APC did not invalidate the disciplinary proceedings against them.

Their resignation threatened to deepen divisions within the Zamfara APC, especially as political alignments and preparations for the 2027 general elections gained momentum.

However, after Sunday’s presidential intervention, the lawmakers have said they are willing to work with Tinubu and the ruling party, raising hopes of reconciliation among the competing interests.

Matawalle has also pledged to integrate the lawmakers into the Tinubu Again Movement, a political mobilisation platform supporting the President and APC candidates ahead of the forthcoming elections. (The Nation)