Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a prominent figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC), announced his intention to run for governor of Zamfara State in the 2027 election. Speaking in Gusau, the state capital, he addressed a gathering of supporters and emphasized that the era of imposing candidates within the APC is over; all party members now have equal rights to seek elective positions. As a qualified member of the APC and former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance, Shinkafi asserted his right to contest the party’s primary for any position.
Shinkafi highlighted the historical dominance of the Zamfara West Senatorial Zone in the state’s leadership since 1999, noting that other zones have been marginalized. He cited leaders from the West zone—former Governor Ahmed Sani Yarima, who served eight years and later spent 12 years in the Senate, Abdulaziz Yari, who also ruled for eight years, and Bello Matawalle, who governed for four years. In contrast, Zamfara North, which produced Mahmuda Aliyu Shinkafi for only four years, has not enjoyed similar representation, and Shinkafi argued that it deserves a chance in 2027.
Meanwhile, another APC chieftain, Aminu Muhammad Kaura, expressed support for Minister of State for Defence Bello Matawalle as the party’s preferred governorship candidate. Kaura said many stakeholders and supporters are already backing Matawalle, describing him as a unifying figure within the party.
The competing declarations from Shinkafi and Kaura set the stage for a potentially competitive governorship race in Zamfara State. The APC will need to navigate its internal dynamics to select a candidate who can unite the party and appeal to the broader electorate. As the 2027 election approaches, the party’s ability to manage its internal processes and present a strong candidate will be crucial to its chances of success, with significant implications for the state’s governance and development.
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