Zamfara ADC Governorship Bid: APC Chieftain Clears Yari of Sponsorship Allegations

Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC), has strongly refuted claims alleging that Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, the former Governor of Zamfara State, is financially supporting Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for governor. Mr. Shinkafi dismissed these accusations as baseless, asserting that political adversaries were deliberately circulating false information to undermine Senator Yari’s standing, particularly after his recent appointment as Director-General of the Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council.

Speaking in a statement released on Saturday, Shinkafi declared, “I wish to debunk the fake news on social media that Senator Abdul’aziz Yari is sponsoring the ADC governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi. It is mischievous, false, handwork of mischief makers and political adversaries of the former governor.”

He clarified the familial connection between the ADC candidate and Senator Yari, stating that Bilyaminu is a cousin to Senator Yari’s wife, who is the daughter of the late Umaru Shinkafi. Shinkafi further revealed that Bilyaminu had initially sought to secure the APC ticket for the Zamfara North Senatorial District in the lead-up to the 2027 elections but failed to pass the party’s screening process. Following this, the politician opted to switch to the ADC to pursue his aspiration for the governorship.

Shinkafi posited that certain political figures were displeased with President Bola Tinubu’s selection of Yari to spearhead his re-election campaign. He suggested that these individuals were leveraging the current allegations as a means to launch attacks against the former governor. He quoted, “It is obvious that some political actors are not happy that President Tinubu appointed Yari his Presidential Campaign Council’s Director General and ventilate their grievances by spreading fake news and carrying out a campaign of calumny against him.” He implored the Nigerian public to dismiss these claims, reaffirming his belief in Senator Yari’s unwavering dedication to President Tinubu’s re-election efforts in 2027.

Furthermore, Shinkafi addressed separate claims linking Senator Yari to eight suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly who recently defected from the APC. He denied that these lawmakers – Aliyu Ango Kagara, Ibrahim Tukur Bakura, Faruk Musa Dosara, Bashir Abubakar Masama, Muktaru Nasiru Kaura, Nasiru Abdullahi, Bashar Bello, and Bashar Ali – were political associates of Yari. He explained that their suspension by the Assembly occurred on February 26, 2024, due to various accusations including gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House, and convening an unsanctioned sitting, all in breach of parliamentary rules. Shinkafi highlighted that five of these legislators were initially elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) banner in the 2023 general elections before their defection to the APC, suggesting their political history does not align with the assertion of them being Yari’s allies.

Despite efforts by Senator Yari and other party stakeholders to mediate the conflict and convince the Assembly leadership to reverse the suspension, these attempts proved unsuccessful. Shinkafi recounted advising Yari to engage with Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal for an amicable resolution before Yari’s planned defection to the APC. He quoted, “In my contribution, I urged Senator Yari to approach Governor Lawal as he planned to defect to APC to amicably resolve the matter to foster peace and unity in the party. Sadly, all efforts made were abortive.” He also confirmed that Yari had extended financial aid to the suspended lawmakers, who reportedly have not received their salaries, allowances, and other entitlements since their suspension. Shinkafi stated, “In his magnanimity as a compassionate leader, Yari gave financial support to the suspended legislators and continued to broker peace to those involved in the matter behind the scene.” He concluded by appealing to Governor Lawal and the Assembly leadership to pursue a political resolution to the impasse and ensure the lawmakers receive their withheld entitlements.