The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State is still reeling from the aftermath of Senator Kabiru Marafa’s resignation, according to the Senator Kabiru Marafa Consultative Forum. The forum’s secretary, Mannir Bature Tsafe, released a statement on Tuesday, criticizing the APC’s earlier claim that Marafa’s departure was “inconsequential.”
Tsafe pointed out that the APC recently organized a ceremony to welcome approximately 360 individuals who reportedly defected from Marafa’s camp to the ruling party. He argued that the significance attached to this defection contradicts the APC’s initial dismissal of Marafa’s influence. The ceremony, according to Tsafe, underscores the impact of Marafa’s resignation on the party.
Tsafe further noted that the number of defectors, 360, is relatively small compared to Zamfara’s voting population. He insisted that the APC is still grappling with the vacuum created by Marafa’s exit and that the party’s claims of “mass defections” are misleading. Instead of prioritizing reconciliation and restructuring, the APC is accused of recycling the same individuals under the guise of new defections.
The Senator Kabiru Marafa Consultative Forum emphasized that while Marafa has moved on to pursue his political ambitions outside the APC, his influence will continue to shape the state’s political landscape. This development highlights the ongoing power dynamics within the APC in Zamfara State and the challenges the party faces in maintaining its support base.
The APC’s efforts to regain its footing in the state will likely be closely watched, given the significance of Zamfara in Nigerian politics. As the party navigates its internal dynamics, it remains to be seen how the departure of key figures like Senator Marafa will impact its prospects in future elections. The ongoing developments in Zamfara State underscore the complexities of Nigerian politics and the ever-shifting allegiances that shape the country’s political landscape.