A rift is deepening in Zamfara State politics as a support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) dismissed threats by former senator Kabiru Marafa to work against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027.
The Zamfara APC Support Group, led by its chairman Muhammad Aliyu Tsafe, described Marafa’s recent outburst as “laughable” and a “shameless display of arrogance”.
“Tinubu won Zamfara, but Marafa lost,” Tsafe said in a strongly worded statement.
“If he truly had the power to deny Tinubu one million votes, why couldn’t he secure enough to return to the Senate?”
The group argued that Marafa’s claim of being Tinubu’s campaign coordinator in the 2023 general elections was misleading.
According to Tsafe, the APC had resolved that every serving governor would automatically serve as campaign coordinator in their state—a role carried out by then-governor Bello Matawalle.
“Marafa had no official mandate,” Tsafe added.
“He was only made relevant because Matawalle, out of goodwill, allowed him to assist in the campaign. Without that lifeline, he remained politically irrelevant.”
The statement further accused Marafa of betraying leaders such as Matawalle and former governor Abdulaziz Yari, despite relying on their influence to build his political career.
“It is laughable that a man who could not retain his seat as a senator now claims he can deny Tinubu over one million votes,” the group said.
“His influence begins and ends with his own voice, not with the electorate.”
The supporters argue he has reduced himself to political theatrics, while genuine leaders in Zamfara continue to command grassroots support.
As the 2027 elections approach, the APC in Zamfara insists it remains united under President Tinubu and loyal state leaders.
“Zamfara belongs to its people, not to Kabiru Marafa,” the group said .