A prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Shinkafi, has expressed concern regarding the current situation within the party in Zamfara State, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
Shinkafi also urged the APC National Chairman, Prof Nentawe Yilwatda, to admonish the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, regarding what he termed as divisive and destabilizing political actions in the North-Western state.
He indicated that this situation contributed to the party’s failure in the state during the recent governorship election, cautioning that the APC could face another defeat in 2027 if the national leadership does not take action against Matawalle to put an end to what he referred to as a divide-and-rule strategy.
Shinkafi encouraged the former governor to focus on a significant membership drive in preparation for the 2027 general elections.
“It is concerning that Matawalle, who should utilize his role as former governor and current Minister of State for Defence to unify, stabilize, and strengthen the APC in Zamfara State, is instead the individual fostering discord among party members ahead of the 2027 general election. A divided house cannot stand,” Shinkafi remarked.
“No responsible Minister of State for Defence would neglect these vital national security responsibilities to concentrate on welcoming fellow APC members who have switched allegiance to his side. This unwarranted distraction from essential duties and his inadequate performance as governor led to the APC’s loss in Zamfara State in 2023, and this error is being repeated as we approach the 2027 general election, now in his capacity as minister, which could jeopardize President Tinubu’s success in the state specifically, and in the North West generally, where the President received the highest votes in the 2023 presidential election.
I am raising an alarm and imploring Mr. President and the APC national chairman to take action and bring Bello Matawalle to order before it becomes too late. The party cannot afford to lose Zamfara State because of unnecessary internal conflicts and a lack of unity.
Given that he has offended many during his tenure as governor and minister, it is now expected of Matawalle to pursue forgiveness and reconciliation.
This approach could have averted the resignation of notable leaders such as Senator Kabiru Mafara from APC Zamfara State, who left due to discord. It is indeed troubling that party leaders would depart from APC while Matawalle rolls out the red carpet to welcome a select few of their supporters into his faction.
