Zamfara 2027: Shinkafi hints at APC governorship bid, says he may face Lawal in primary

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has hinted at a possible governorship bid in the 2027 elections, saying he may contest the party’s primary alongside Governor Dauda Lawal or other aspirants.

Shinkafi made the remark while addressing supporters of the Wamban Shinkafi Movement for Democratic Front in Gusau, the state capital.

He said he would soon meet with political associates to determine whether to contest the governorship election or support Governor Lawal’s bid for a second term.

According to him, the decision will follow the revalidation of 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 the governorship,” Shinkafi said.

The APC chieftain also recalled that he had previously maintained that any governorship candidate from Zamfara West under the APC might face resistance, noting that the zone had produced three consecutive governors since 1999.

Shinkafi said he recently hosted leaders of his movement from the 14 local government areas of the state for a Ramadan breakfast meeting, partly to express solidarity with Governor Lawal following his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

He described the governor’s move to the ruling party 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,” he said.

Shinkafi also congratulated Lawal as the new leader of the APC in Zamfara, describing the development as a significant milestone for the party in the state.

However, he criticised the Minister of State for Defence and former governor of Zamfara, Bello Mohammed Matawalle, accusing him of previously controlling the party structure in the state and sidelining other members.

Shinkafi alleged that Matawalle used his influence as a former governor and minister to dominate the party’s affairs and misinform the presidency on issues relating to Zamfara politics.

He also praised Senator Abdul’aziz Yari Abubakar for his leadership within the party, describing him as a respected political figure in the Northwest region.