On August 29, 2025, headlines surfaced announcing that former Senator Kabiru Marafa—who represented Zamfara Central from 2011 to 2019—has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC) along with his followers. Marafa cited mounting insecurity across Zamfara, exclusion from political appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, and described Tinubu as a “use and dump” politician as reasons for his decision.
While some may see his exit as controversial, anyone who closely follows Zamfara politics is more likely to see this as a positive turning point. The APC has lost a member whose tenure was characterized by internal disruption and self-interest, and his departure signals a fresh start for the party.
Throughout his time with the APC, Marafa’s approach appeared rooted in personal ambition rather than collective good. Under his watch, the APC suffered significant defeats—including losing the gubernatorial seat—because of persistent internal conflict. Marafa’s attitude seemed to be: “If I can’t win, no one will.” This divisiveness ultimately weakened the party’s standing during crucial elections.
Back in 2018, Marafa’s ambition for the governorship was stymied by fierce infighting in the Zamfara APC. The party became deeply divided into two factions: one allied with Marafa and the other with then-Governor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari. Both sides held separate primaries, sparking controversy over the legitimacy of their candidates.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) recognized Yari’s camp, but Marafa contested the result, arguing that the entire process was invalid. He took his case all the way to the Supreme Court of Nigeria, insisting that proper primaries had not taken place.
On May 24, 2019, the Supreme Court ruled in Marafa’s favor, declaring Yari’s primaries unlawful. In a dramatic turn, the court voided all APC votes for the 2019 elections in Zamfara, disqualifying the party’s candidates because of flawed primaries. This ensured that the party paid a heavy price for its disunity.
Fast forward to the 2023 elections: Marafa joined forces with a former rival, hoping to boost his own gubernatorial aspirations. However, the alliance only deepened the divide within APC, pitting a Matawalle-led faction—after Matawalle’s defection from PDP—against a camp loyal to Yari and Marafa.
The party’s internal crisis escalated when Alhaji Mai Mala Buni, the National Caretaker Committee Chairman, visited Zamfara to welcome Governor Matawalle into the APC and declared him the state party leader, deepening the rift even further.
Fortunately, Matawalle’s adept leadership and strategic decisions helped prevent the party from fracturing as it had in 2019, though at the cost of his own reelection bid. Ultimately, APC emerged from the turbulence with a measure of unity that had been missing for years.
It is clear that Marafa’s more recent affiliations and critiques of President Tinubu are less about ideological convictions or championing the North and more about clinging to political relevance after losing leverage within the APC.
One might argue Marafa expected to secure a ministerial position from Zamfara under Tinubu. However, his expectations were dashed when President Tinubu appointed H.E. Bello Matawalle as Minister of State for Defence, undermining claims that Zamfara is being neglected in federal appointments.
Additionally, the selection of Mr Yazeed Shehu Danfulani as Chairman of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation highlights Zamfara’s significance in national agricultural policy. The state, which proudly proclaims “Farming is our pride,” now has key representation in this sector.
Regarding criticisms about increased military presence during Zamfara’s recent by-elections, it’s important to recognize the state’s persistent security threats. The deployment of military personnel was a necessary step to protect voters in an area plagued by banditry and violence.
Unlike previous administrations, the Tinubu government has made tangible progress in addressing Zamfara’s security concerns. Over the past two years, it has neutralized more than 20 notorious bandit leaders—a sharp contrast to 2023, when the Buhari administration failed to make substantial headway against criminal groups despite heavy militarization during elections.
In summary, Senator Marafa’s resignation marks the end of an era of division and distraction within Zamfara APC. The party now has an opportunity to move forward, focusing on unity and service to the people.
— Alkali, reporting from Gusau.
