Thousands of supporters of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa from all 14 local government areas in Zamfara State have announced that they are abandoning his political structures and pledging loyalty to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The decision, revealed at a meeting in Gusau, represents a substantial loss of support for Marafa in his home state. During the gathering, 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, explaining that supporters from the 147 wards across the state had decided to leave because they felt the movement no longer served their political or developmental interests. According to Saddiq, the supporters realized 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 weakened the party and contributed to its defeats in the 2019 and 2023 elections in Zamfara. He said Marafa’s actions were at the centre of the party’s internal crises, leading to its failure in the state. The decision to return to the APC, Saddiq added, was driven by a 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 follows Marafa’s resignation from the APC in August, which he attributed to President Bola Tinubu’s “use‑and‑discard” approach to leadership. Marafa, who served as the senator for Zamfara Central from 2011 to 2019, has 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.
The supporters’ defection to the APC is seen as a strategic move to promote development and stability in Zamfara. Given the state’s history of internal party conflicts, 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, analysts and observers will closely watch the implications of this development.
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