In a significant development, thousands of supporters of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa from all 14 local government areas in Zamfara State have announced their decision to abandon his political structures and pledge loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This move marks a substantial loss of support for Marafa in his home state.

The decision was made public during a meeting in Gusau, where the 14 chairmen of Marafa’s political structures jointly declared their defection. Abubakar Saddiq, a close ally of Marafa, spoke on behalf of the group, stating that supporters from the 147 wards across the state had decided to leave because they felt the movement was no longer serving their political or developmental interests. According to Saddiq, the supporters had come to realize that their engagement in politics was not yielding any benefits, and they could no longer continue without seeing progress.

Saddiq accused Marafa of creating internal conflicts within the APC, which he claimed had weakened the party and contributed to its defeats in the 2019 and 2023 elections in Zamfara. He stated that Marafa’s actions had been at the center of the party’s internal crises, leading to its failure in the state. The decision to return to the APC, according to Saddiq, was driven by the desire to work alongside other party members for the development of Zamfara. He emphasized that progress is impossible without peace and unity, making it clear that Marafa now stands alone.

The development comes after Marafa announced his resignation from the APC in August, citing President Bola Tinubu’s “use-and-discard” approach to leadership as the reason for his departure. Marafa, who served as the senator for Zamfara Central between 2011 and 2019, had been a key figure in the state’s politics. The loss of support from his political base is likely to have significant implications for his future in politics.

The decision by Marafa’s supporters to defect to the APC is seen as a strategic move to promote development and stability in Zamfara. With the state having experienced internal party conflicts in the past, the return of these supporters to the APC may signal a new era of cooperation and progress. As the political landscape in Zamfara continues to evolve, the implications of this development will be closely watched by political analysts and observers.