A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and member of the Tinubu–Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the party’s National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, to urgently intervene in what he described as widening divisions within the Zamfara State chapter of the party.
Shinkafi warned that the growing tension among key stakeholders poses a serious threat to the party’s unity ahead of the 2027 general elections. He cautioned that unless the national leadership promotes reconciliation and internal dialogue, the APC risks repeating the same mistakes that cost it power in the 2023 governorship election.
In a statement personally signed on behalf of the Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, Shinkafi appealed to all party leaders, including the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to put aside personal rivalries and work collectively to rebuild the APC’s grassroots strength.
“It is important for all leaders, including former governors and serving ministers, to come together and rebuild the APC in Zamfara. We need cooperation, not competition, if the party is to move forward,” he said.
He lamented that lingering factionalism and leadership struggles among political blocs loyal to different power brokers — including Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji, Senator Kabiru Marafa, and several former governors — have continued to weaken the party’s internal structure.
“A house divided against itself cannot stand. We must stop the cycle of internal rivalry and focus on rebuilding trust among our members,” he said firmly.
The former National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) recalled that the Zamfara APC had been deeply divided since losing the 2023 governorship election to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He emphasized that the party’s many experienced leaders should channel their energy toward peacebuilding rather than political infighting.
“Zamfara APC has many leaders who have sacrificed for the party. We should use that experience to build unity, not deepen divisions,” Shinkafi noted.
As part of his personal contribution to the reconciliation effort, Shinkafi disclosed that he has deliberately stepped back from certain political activities to reduce tensions and create space for dialogue. He also announced the launch of a new grassroots movement — the Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Front — aimed at promoting peace, political participation, and youth mobilisation across the 14 local government areas of Zamfara State.
According to him, the platform will support the APC’s rebuilding process by encouraging young people to take active roles in governance and party politics.
Reaffirming his loyalty to President Tinubu and the ruling APC, Shinkafi expressed optimism that with sincerity, inclusiveness, and collective responsibility, the party could regain its footing before the next election cycle.
“I remain a committed member of the APC. My appeal is for reconciliation and collective responsibility so that Zamfara can once again become a winning state for our party,” he said.
He urged both national and state leaders to prioritise peacebuilding and the restoration of public confidence in the party’s leadership.
“This is the time to rebuild bridges and focus on service to the people. If we work together and forgive past grievances, victory will come naturally,” he advised.
Shinkafi concluded by appealing to President Tinubu and Prof. Yilwatda to initiate a structured peace process that would unite all major stakeholders under one umbrella of trust and mutual respect.
“What Zamfara APC needs now is reconciliation built on fairness, dialogue, and mutual respect. That is the surest path to stability and success in the next elections,” he added.
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