Zamfara 2027: I may contest governorship with Governor Lawal – Shinkafi

By Idris Salisu, Gusau

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has hinted at a possible governorship bid in the 2027 elections, saying he may run a primary under APC alongside Governor Dauda Lawal or any other aspirant.

Speaking to supporters of the Wamban Shinkafi Movement For Democratic Front in Gusau, Shinkafi said he would soon meet with his political associates to decide whether to contest for governorship or support Governor Lawal’s bid to complete a second term.

He noted that the decision would follow the revalidation of their party e-registration by members of the movement. “After our registration is confirmed, we will decide whether to go for a primary with Governor Lawal or any other person for governorship,” he said.

Shinkafi recalled that he had previously stated any candidate from Zamfara West contesting under APC would face rejection, highlighting that the region has produced three consecutive governors over the last 20 years since 1999.

He added that he recently gathered top officials of his movement from the state’s 14 local government areas for a Ramadan breakfast, partly to show solidarity with Governor Lawal’s defection from PDP to APC—a move Shinkafi described as historic and beneficial for the people of Zamfara.

“I wholeheartedly rejoice with the Governor on his decision to join the ruling party and will give him my full support, just as I have adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid in 2027,” Shinkafi said.

He congratulated Governor Lawal as the new leader of APC in Zamfara State, describing the development as a “great achievement,” and expressed relief that the party was moving past what he described as political intimidation and harassment under the outgoing state party leader, Minister of State Defence, Bello Mohammed Matawalle.

Shinkafi accused Matawalle of misusing his position as the immediate past governor and a minister to control the party like “personal property,” allegedly sidelining other party members and misinforming President Tinubu on Zamfara matters.

He praised Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar for his leadership, describing him as a God-fearing leader trusted across Zamfara and the nation. Shinkafi and his associates crowned Yari as the “Great Grand APC Leader” in the Northwest zone, adding, “Without him, there would be no APC.”

The comments highlight ongoing political realignments in Zamfara ahead of the 2027 elections, with Shinkafi positioning himself as a potential governorship contender while reaffirming loyalty to the APC and its leadership at both state and national levels.

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