Mass Defection Looms In Katsina APC As Panel Sets To Deny Lawmakers Return Tickets

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Katsina State may be heading for a wave of defections after a party consensus committee reportedly denied return tickets to eight serving members of the National Assembly.

Those affected include seven members of the House of Representatives across the state’s three senatorial districts, as well as Senator Sani Zangon Daura, who represents the Daura Zone.

Although, the committee, led by former governor Aminu Bello Masari with ex-governor Shehu Shema as co-chair, is yet to formally submit its report, it was learnt that it had marked out the affected lawmakers from getting return tickets.

However, no official explanation has been provided for the decision to drop the lawmakers.

The development has stirred discontent among party supporters, with some threatening to leave the APC, while others say they may remain but work against the party in the next elections.

An APC member, Tanko Mannir, questioned the move, arguing that several of the affected lawmakers have demonstrated strong performance in both legislative duties and constituency engagement. He warned that sidelining them without explanation could alienate loyal supporters.

One of the lawmakers affected, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed that discussions about leaving the party were already underway, though no alternative platform was disclosed.

Meanwhile, a source indicated that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has begun reaching out to the lawmakers, allegedly offering automatic tickets as an incentive to switch parties.

Katsina State currently has 18 National Assembly members—15 in the House of Representatives and three in the Senate—all elected under the APC banner following earlier defections from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).