A former senator and key figure in the Tinubu/Shettima 2023 campaign in Zamfara State, Kabiru Marafa, has officially left the All Progressives Congress (APC) to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Marafa, who once served as a commissioner in Zamfara State and played a prominent role in mobilising support for President Bola Tinubu across the North-West, announced his defection on Thursday following consultations with political allies.
According to a statement issued by his media aide, Mansur Haruna, the decision came after a strategic meeting with stakeholders held in Kaduna State, where the future of his political movement was extensively discussed.
The former lawmaker explained that his move to the ADC reflects a deliberate shift in political direction, driven by what he described as the need to realign with a platform capable of delivering meaningful change.
In his remarks, Marafa criticised the ruling APC, accusing it of engaging in political manipulation and actions capable of destabilising the country’s democratic system.
He also alleged attempts to misuse sensitive national data, including the National Identification Number (NIN), for partisan purposes.
He further accused the current administration of fostering confusion within opposition parties but insisted that such pressures would not deter his resolve.
According to him, joining the ADC represents a firm commitment to what he called the “liberation” of the people from political dominance and control.
Marafa’s political journey in Zamfara has been marked by longstanding rivalries, particularly with former governor Abdulaziz Yari.
Their disagreement over party structures and candidate selection led to deep divisions within the APC ahead of the 2019 elections.
The dispute eventually ended up at the Supreme Court, which nullified the APC’s victories in Zamfara due to irregularities in its primary elections, handing the party’s wins to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Although Marafa and Yari briefly reconciled in 2021, their alliance did not last, especially after the APC lost the state again in 2023.
He has also been at odds with other key figures in the state, including former governor and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, as internal struggles for control of the party structure persisted.
