…ACCUSES PRESIDENT TINUBU OF NOT CARRYING THEM ALONG
A huge vacuum is being created in the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the Zamfara State Coordinator of Tinubu/Shettima Campaign Organisation in the 2023 Presidential Election, Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, has resigned his membership of the party (APC).
His reason is hinged on the alleged inability of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to tackle the insecurity challenges in Zamfara State.
Under Senator Marafa, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu won the 2023 Presidential Election in Zamfara State, after polling the highest number of votes in the 2023 presidential election.
It eas learnt that at the peak of the 2023 campaigns, while President Tinubu was moving from one state to another, Senator Marafa requested him not to come to Zamfara, as he would deliver the state to him.
Supporters of Senator Marafa, who represented Zamfara Central Senatorial District at the National Assembly between 2011 and 2019, from the 14 Local Government Areas of Zamfara State, under the aegis of Senator Kabiru Marafa Consultative Forum, had convened a meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday and Thursday, August 27th and 28th, 2025, to deliberate extensively on the worsening security, political, and developmental situations in Zamfara State.
At the end of the meeting, a communique with a two-point resolution signed by Comrade Bashir Muhammad Mafara, chairman; Dr. Mannir Bature Tsafe, secretary; Hon Muzakkiru Sidi Bawa, member; Hon Hussaini Dan Isah, member; Engr. Ibrahim Jekada Dansadau, member; Engr. Sani Garba Gusau, member; Hon Bello Soja Bakyasuwa, member; and Mansur M. Haruna, member, was issued.
It reads in parts, “After broad consultations and critical review of the prevailing circumstances, the political structure of Distinguished Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa OFR, CON across the 147 wards in Zamfara State unanimously resolved as follows:
“The entire structure with all its supporters hereby formally resigns from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in protest against the sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalization, and deliberate neglect of Zamfara State and its people.
“That we shall, in due course, announce our next political direction, guided by the collective interest of the good people of Zamfara State.”
The Communique issued at the end of the meeting, which Senator Marafa attended, reads:
“After exhaustive discussions and careful assessment of the realities on the ground, the meeting expressed grave concern over the deteriorating security, political and developmental conditions in Zamfara State and arrived at the following
OBSERVATIONS
Deteriorating Security Situation in Zamfara State:
The Federal Government of Nigeria, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, hasn’t been able to address the persistent and senseless kidnappings and killings of innocent citizens in Zamfara State, despite the explicit promises made during the 2023 Presidential campaign.
The situation continues to worsen, leaving communities devastated and hopeless. On Wednesday, 27th August 2025, the Cable, Premium Times and other media outlets released disturbing statistics on the number of people kidnapped in the country, with Zamfara State topping the list. Sadly, out of the 4,722 people kidnapped over one year in Nigeria in 2024 under the APC-led administration, 1,203 are all from Zamfara State, followed by Kaduna State with 629.
Additionally, Zamfara Circle Community Initiatives reported a more alarming situation in which 25 villages suffered attack in just one week after the just concluded bye-election, with 145 people kidnapped and 21 killed. Some of these communities affected include Fegin Mahe in Gusau, Banga in Kaura, Adafka in Bukkuyum LGA; Chediya in Tsafe LGA; Damri and Kwanar Kalgo in Bakura LGA; Jangebe and Morai in Talata Mafara LGA, to mention a few.
Politicization of Insecurity in Zamfara State:
The meeting noted with dismay the politicisation of insecurity in Zamfara State. This was evident during the recent House of Assembly bye-election in Kaura Namoda, where villages that had suffered brutal attacks a few weeks before the bye-election, including the slaughter of over 40 people, including women and children, received no Federal Government support till today.
However, heavy deployment of security personnel, including armed soldiers, was later deployed to the same area not to protect lives, but to facilitate electoral victory in favour of the APC. Tragically, after the election, security forces were withdrawn and attacks resumed immediately.
Even more disturbing was the alleged humongous amount of money spent by the APC for vote buying in the area. Because of the level of suffering among the people in those communities devastated by insecurity, they were forced to sell their votes to earn a living. This is how APC always prioritised the acquisition of political power over the protection of human lives and property.
Marginalization of Zamfara APC
Members in general and our group in particular:
Despite the fact that Zamfara State was one of only two states in the entire North-West geopolitical zone that delivered victory to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu during the 2023 Presidential election spearheaded by Distinguished Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa OFR, CON as State Coordinator which the President himself categorically acknowledged during his speech shortly after his declaration as the winner of the 2023 election by INEC, the state has been sidelined in all facets of human developments including protection of lives and properties, infrastructural developments as well as fair representation in political appointments.
The state was given only a Minister of State, while most states in the Northwest got two slots. But more unfair is the allocation given to the Southwest that corners the entire financial sector, with some states getting multiple ministerial slots and countless agencies.
For example, Lagos state, where President Tinubu lost the election, has enjoyed overwhelming patronage in terms of appointments and developmental projects, underscoring the deliberate marginalisation of Zamfara state, where Mr. President won. This injustice, particularly to our members (who got nothing despite contributing the most to his victory), continued notwithstanding several appeals to His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party leadership at the national level.
Preferential treatment and support for the victims of insecurity:
The meeting observed with greatest dismay the deliberate neglect of the people of Zamfara State, who suffered severe forms of banditry attacks compared to states that suffer less. Still, Mr. President visited with all the service chiefs and offered huge financial assistance with a commitment to prevent future occurrences. Unfortunately, no such visits were extended to Zamfara State since he assumed office over two years ago. This selective justice and neglect left us wondering whether the trust we gave Mr. President by electing him was a crime.
Betrayal of APC’s Core Principles:
The failure of party leadership at the National level to ensure justice and fairness within the ranks of the party leaders at the state level. Instead of giving fair treatment to all important stakeholders, the national leadership decided to be selective in their dealings with APC members in the state, with our group being ignored.
The above actions and omissions negate the fundamental principles of justice, fairness, equity and accountability upon which the APC was founded. Conscience demands that genuine progressives must stand for truth and resist injustice, no matter how uncomfortable.
RESOLUTIONS:
After wide consultations and critical review of the prevailing circumstances, the political structure of Distinguished Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa OFR, CON across the 147 wards in Zamfara State unanimously resolved as follows:
That the entire structure with all its supporters hereby formally resigns from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in protest against the sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalisation, and deliberate neglect of Zamfara State and its people.
That we shall, in due course, announce our next political direction, guided by the collective interest of the good people of Zamfara State.
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