A leading female politician in Zamfara State, Hajiya Mariam Usman Shehu Yaro, has left the opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defection, announced in a personal statement, underscores ongoing political realignments in the northwestern state.
Hajiya Mariam, widely known as Zarar Maru from Maru Local Government Area, said her decision followed extensive consultations with APC stakeholders. The event was witnessed by key APC figures in Zamfara, including former 2019 governorship candidate Mukhtar Shehu Idris and current House of Representatives member Abdulmalik Zubairu, who represents the Maru/Bungudu Federal Constituency.
Also present were senior leaders from major political blocs within the state, representing the camps of former Governor Senator Abdulaziz Yari and Minister of State for Defence Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle. Notable attendees included Lawan M. Liman and Alhaji Tukur Danfulani.
Previously, Hajiya Mariam served as Managing Director of the Zamfara State Investment and Property Development Company, where she was responsible for initiatives aimed at boosting trade, investment, and economic development within the state.
Explaining her move, she stated it was driven by a renewed commitment to public service, unity, and the development of Zamfara. She emphasized that politics should be a tool for improving living standards, strengthening communities, and fostering sustainable growth.
This defection is part of a pattern of shifting political alliances in Zamfara State, with elected officials and party members frequently changing affiliations ahead of future electoral cycles. Hajiya Mariam’s switch adds to the APC’s consolidating influence in the state and highlights the fluid nature of Nigeria’s political landscape. Her integration into the APC’s structure in Maru and the state at large is expected to be a development to monitor in the coming months.
