Former Senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Garba Marafa, has officially resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what he described as President Bola Tinubu’s “use-and-dump” style of leadership.
Marafa, who coordinated the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign in Zamfara during the 2023 election, made his decision following a two-day meeting of the Senator Kabiru Marafa Consultative Forum.
The meeting, held on August 27–28 in Kaduna, brought together key supporters from all 14 local government areas of Zamfara State.
In a communiqué issued at the end of the meeting, signed by Forum Chairman Comrade Bashir Muhammad Mafara and Secretary Dr. Mannir Bature Tsafe, the group expressed disappointment over the perceived marginalization of Zamfara State despite its support for President Tinubu during the last election.
The Forum recalled that under Marafa’s leadership, Zamfara delivered a decisive win for Tinubu, with the senator assuring the President that his visit to the state wouldn’t be necessary. That promise was kept.
However, the group lamented that despite this loyalty, Zamfara has suffered continued neglect under the current administration.
Zamfara reportedly led the nation in kidnappings in 2024, with 1,203 cases out of 4,722 nationwide.
In just one week following a bye-election, 25 villages were attacked, resulting in 145 kidnappings and 21 deaths.
The Forum criticized the deployment of security forces to influence the Kaura Namoda bye-election, contrasting it with the government’s failure to protect lives in the same region.
Marginalization in Appointments: While other Northwest states received two ministerial slots, Zamfara was only given a Minister of State position.
The Forum pointed out that states where Tinubu lost, including Lagos, were rewarded with more federal presence and appointments.
Unlike other violence-hit states that received presidential visits and relief, Zamfara has allegedly been overlooked.
The group also accused the APC national leadership of dismantling Marafa’s political structure, in violation of the party’s founding principles of fairness and inclusion.
Following what they called “exhaustive consultations and a critical review of current realities,” the Forum announced the formal resignation of Marafa and his entire political structure across Zamfara’s 147 wards from the APC.
They stated that their next political move would be announced soon and would reflect the collective interest of the people of Zamfara.
