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Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa, the former Zamfara State Coordinator for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2023 campaign, has officially resigned from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He lambasted President Tinubu as a “use-and-dump” leader, accusing the administration of marginalizing Zamfara State despite its pivotal role in delivering victory during the last presidential election.
Senator Marafa, who led Tinubu’s successful campaign in Zamfara, stated that the decision followed a comprehensive review of the worsening security and political situation in the state. His political structure, representing all 147 wards across Zamfara, unanimously voted to withdraw support from the APC citing “sustained injustice, mistrust, marginalization, and deliberate neglect.”
A communique issued at the end of a two-day strategic meeting in Kaduna revealed deep frustration over the prevalent insecurity in Zamfara. The state tops Nigeria’s kidnapping charts, with over 1,200 abductions reported in 2024 alone more than a quarter of the national total. Communities continue to face brutal attacks and loss of lives with no adequate response from the federal government.
Key excerpts from the communique read: “Despite our unwavering support during the 2023 elections, Zamfara remains neglected, with no meaningful development or security intervention. President Tinubu’s government has failed to protect our people, leaving our communities vulnerable and despairing.”
“The recent politicization of insecurity, especially evident during the House of Assembly bye-election, reveals a disturbing pattern of prioritizing political gain over human lives. Security forces were deployed not to safeguard citizens but to secure electoral victories, only to withdraw immediately afterward.”
Marafa’s group also maintained that the glaring disparity in federal appointments and development projects, pointing out that Zamfara received only a Minister of State position while other states, including those that did not back Tinubu, were favored with multiple slots and extensive funding.
“It is disheartening that Lagos, where Tinubu lost, continues to receive overwhelming patronage, while Zamfara the state that ensured his victory suffers neglect,” the statement added.
The group accused the APC national leadership of betraying its foundational principles of justice, fairness, and equity, leading to their collective resignation from the party.
Senator Marafa, speaking on the decision, said: “We stood by President Tinubu when it mattered most, delivering Zamfara for him. But this loyalty has been met with neglect and disrespect. We refuse to be used and discarded. Our people deserve better.”
The senator’s political structure promised to announce their next steps soon, emphasizing their commitment to the welfare and progress of Zamfara.
This dramatic exit signals growing discontent within the APC ranks as analysed by Pointblanknews.com in a recent published article.
Meanwhile, there is an urgent need for the federal government to address the dire security and political challenges in Zamfara State.