Muhammad Kurya, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate for the Kaura Namoda South State Assembly by-election in August 2025, has defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Kurya made the announcement on Saturday during an event organized by Hon. Yazeed Shehu Danfulani Projects at the Taula Arena in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State. His decision comes just months after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared APC’s Kamilu Sa’idu the winner of the August supplementary election for the constituency.
In the runoff election, Sa’idu secured 1,181 votes, leaving Kurya with only 194 votes, according to the Returning Officer Lawal Sa’adu from the Federal University Gusau. The APC as a whole claimed 8,182 votes across the constituency, compared to the PDP’s 5,544 votes, reinforcing the ruling party’s dominance in the area despite a campaign that was described as “well-funded” by the PDP-led administration of Governor Dauda Lawal.
Explaining his decision, Kurya expressed his loss of confidence in the PDP. He cited the poor leadership under Governor Lawal, particularly in handling security matters, as the primary reason for his defection. Kurya believes these issues played a significant role in his defeat and contributed to the deteriorating security situation in the state.
“I have lost confidence in the PDP,” Kurya stated in a message shared on his social media account. “The focus has been lost, especially on the critical issue of security, which contributed to my defeat and worsened the situation in Zamfara.”
Kurya went on to call on his supporters to join him in supporting the APC, particularly backing Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, in a bid to “restore peace and progress” to Zamfara.
Initially, the Kaura Namoda South State Constituency by-election was declared inconclusive by INEC. However, after the presentation of the Certificate of Return to Kamilu Sa’idu, the newly elected representative for the constituency, the results were finalised.
In response to Kurya’s defection, the Zamfara APC commended INEC for conducting a “credible” by-election process, praising the electoral body for its professionalism and transparency.
