Thousands of loyalists previously aligned with Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa have declared their continued allegiance to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, rejecting the senator’s recent call to exit the party.
At a gathering in Gusau today (Monday), representatives drawn from the 14 local government areas of the state, 20 persons from each (representing others), totaling 280 delegates, unanimously pledged to remain in the ruling party, stressing their readiness to support its candidates and leadership at all levels.
Speaking at the event, Zamfara APC Chairman Alhaji Tukur Danfulani, represented by the party secretary, Alhaji Ibrahim Umar, described the loyalists as “true members of the APC” for refusing to follow Senator Marafa in what he called a “blind decision.”
“We appreciate you for remaining in the APC. We thank and commend you so much for that,” Umar said, assuring the former Marafa loyalists of full inclusion in the party’s activities. “You are bonafide members of the APC, and we will carry you along sincerely in all that we do.”
He further urged them to remain determined, focused, and loyal, while cautioning against acts of betrayal that could undermine the unity of the party.
The former Marafa faction, led administratively by Abdulkadir Mijin Yawa, affirmed that they had resolved to discard factional politics and work collectively for the success of the APC.
“We are here to confirm and affirm our decision to remain in APC. We want the party to include our members in all its activities. There will be no more faction or fighting, we are ready to support all APC candidates,” Mijin Yawa said.
Notable figures from across the state who declared their stand include Alhaji Ibrahim Billashe (Birnin Magaji), Alhaji Muhammad Tukur Danbinta (Talata Mafara), Malam Muhammad Nasiru Musa, a visually impaired delegate from Maru, and Alhaji Wada Mai-Tifa, chairman of the elders’ forum in the Marafa faction from Kaura Namoda.
Others were Bello Halliru (Bakura), Malam Ibrahim Labbo (Bukuyyum), Musa Lumu (Gummi), Tukur Waliyyi (Bungudu), Bashiru Aja (Tsafe), Adamu Bala Boko (Zurmi), Sa’idu Ibrahim Faru (Maradun), Abubakar Abubakar (Shinkafi), Almustapha Yakub (Anka), Lauwali Ziyara (Youth Leader), Maijidda Ibrahim Lamido (Women Leader), and Kafilu Banki, a students’ leader who vowed to “remain in the party and fight for its cause.”
One of the delegates, Musa Lumu from Gummi, openly dissociated himself from Marafa, saying: “We were his lieutenants and political fighters, but from today, we are no longer with him, we remain in APC.
”Similarly, Tukur Waliyyi of Bungudu dismissed Marafa as a “self-fighter, who has always fought for himself alone.
”In a vote of thanks, Shamsu Kasida described the senator as a “nuisance and problem to the APC,” urging members to remain focused, united, and determined to strengthen the party ahead of future elections.
With this development, observers believe the long-running divisions that weakened APC in Zamfara may be nearing resolution, as former Marafa loyalists fold back into the party’s mainstream.
