The Speaker of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Bilyaminu Moriki, alongside 12 other lawmakers, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Moriki announced the defection during plenary in Gusau on Monday, after formally submitting letters of resignation from the PDP.

The mass defection follows the earlier move by Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, who recently switched allegiance to the APC. The party’s national secretariat has fixed March 24 for the governor’s formal reception, to be led by Vice President Kashim Shettima alongside the APC national leadership and former governors of the state.

The defecting lawmakers are also expected to be officially received into the APC during the ceremony.

Key among those who joined the APC are Deputy Speaker Adamu Aliyu (Gummi II), Majority Leader Bello Mazawaje (Tsafe East), and Chief Whip Rilwanu Nagambo (Anka), among others.

Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Moriki said the decision was unanimous and driven by the need to align with the governor for the overall development of the state.

“It became necessary for us to support Governor Dauda Lawal to attract more development to Zamfara. We also have the backing of our constituencies in taking this step,” he said.

He added that the move would foster stronger collaboration between the state and the Federal Government.

With the latest defections, the APC now controls all 24 seats in the Zamfara State House of Assembly.