Sources within the APC reveal that since Governor Dauda’s supporters held their meeting, he has deliberately sidestepped consultations with the former APC leadership in the state to strategize on the conduct of the congresses. Instead, he has reportedly chosen to engage solely with Vice President Kashim Shettima, effectively sidelining key stakeholders in Zamfara APC. This unilateral approach has stalled any meaningful discussion on the congresses, with insiders suggesting that Governor Dauda prefers the appointment of a caretaker committee by the national leadership to oversee the party affairs in the state, rather than allowing democratic processes to take their course.
Further complicating matters is the governor’s stance on political appointments. Despite an existing 60/40 power-sharing agreement between the APC and defecting governors—where 40% of appointments are reserved for existing APC members and 60% for the defector’s camp, source said Governor Dauda will not allocate any positions to former APC members until after his re-election. This decision has been interpreted as a betrayal by the old guard of the APC in Zamfara, who view it as a breach of trust and a calculated move to marginalize them.
The governor’s defection to the APC was orchestrated through Vice President Shettima without the involvement or approval of prominent Zamfara party leaders such as former Governor Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle, the current Minister of State for Defence. Reports indicate that President Bola Tinubu, keen on securing APC dominance in the state ahead of the 2027 polls, pressured Matawalle to accept Dauda’s entry into the party. Matawalle’s reluctance to oppose the move is said to stem from fears of losing his ministerial position, while Yari’s acquiescence is attributed to his precarious legal history with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which he believes could be revisited if he resists the governor’s induction.
This power play has effectively stripped the former APC leaders of their influence, a risky gambit given their pivotal role in the party grassroots mobilization. Political analysts warn that alienating these figures could backfire, as their networks and support base remain critical to the APC’s electoral success in Zamfara. Governor Dauda’s confidence in his ability to win without their backing—citing his 2023 victory over a formidable APC opposition while in the PDP—may be misplaced. The dynamics have shifted significantly, and internal discord could prove disastrous for the party.
The specter of anti-party activities looms large over the APC in Zamfara, echoing the internal crises that contributed to the party’s losses in several states during the 2023 elections. History has shown that unresolved factional disputes, sabotage, and post-primary grievances often lead to defections and sabotage during elections. If the current impasse persists, it could provide the African Democratic Congress (ADC) with a golden opportunity to capitalize on the APC’s disunity. Should the ADC field a strong candidate like Senator Kabir Garba Marafa, the party could emerge as a formidable contender in the 2027 polls.
As the political temperature rises in Zamfara, the APC faces a critical test of its ability to manage internal dissent and present a united front. The absence of congresses, the marginalization of key stakeholders, and the governor’s contentious approach to power-sharing threaten to undermine the party’s prospects. Unless urgent steps are taken to reconcile factions and adhere to democratic principles, the APC risks repeating the mistakes that cost it dearly in previous elections. For now, Zamfara remains a ticking time bomb of political intrigue, with the 2027 elections serving as the ultimate litmus test for the survival of the APC dominance in the state.
