Zamfara APC dismisses gov’ship candidate speculations

The Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has debunked a viral report that it has declared a governorship candidate for the 2027 General Elections in the state.

The State APC Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris Gusau made this known while reacting to the matter in Gusau, described the speculations as baseless.

He explained that, there were speculations going round the state that the party has nominated a governorship candidate for the 2027 General Elections.

According to him, the rumour had created tension among the APC members in the state, especially the party’s social media handlers.

“All the speculations going round the state were merely fabricated but not from the party.

“This is to inform the public that the APC leadership is not aware of any decision of any governorship candidate of the party ahead of 2027 General Elections.

Malam Yusuf Gusau called on the party members to remain calm, stressing that the  party structure remains intact and united.

He however asked the party members not to allow any rumours or unfounded information to distract their commitment towards building the party.

“The state APC chapter welcomes any aspirant willing to contest in the party, but let the time come.

“I think the issue of the party’s candidates to contest for the election must be produced by the party primaries not by some stakeholders’ meeting,”he explained.

Zamfara Controller of Corrections Seeks Stronger Synergy with NDLEA, Fire Service

The Controller of Nigerian Correctional Service, Zamfara State Command, Muhammad Juta, has called for closer operational synergy between the Service, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and other relevant agencies to fast-track investigations and prosecutions.

He made the call during courtesy visits to the Zamfara State Commands of the NDLEA and the Federal Fire Service (FFS) at the Federal Secretariat Complex in Gusau.

Controller Juta underscored the need for the speedy trial of cases, particularly drug-related offences, noting that, prolonged prosecution processes remain a major contributor to congestion in custodial centres across the state.

He also sought the NDLEA’s support in delivering sustained drug abuse sensitisation and rehabilitation programmes for inmates, stressing that structured interventions are critical to behavioural reform and successful reintegration into society.

Responding, the Commander of Narcotics, NDLEA Zamfara State Command, Awoleye M. Adediran, assured the Controller of the agency’s readiness to collaborate. 

He pledged NDLEA’s support through drug awareness campaigns, counselling, and rehabilitation initiatives, reaffirming the agency’s commitment to effective justice delivery and custodial decongestion.

At the Federal Fire Service Command, discussions centred on fire prevention, emergency preparedness, and safety training in custodial facilities. 

Controller Juta requested technical support, lectures, and practical drills for officers and inmates to enhance fire safety standards and reduce risks within custodial centres.

In his response, the Assistant Controller of Fire, Zamfara State Command, Saqir Garba Gusau, welcomed the collaboration and assured the Federal Fire Service’s commitment to providing fire safety education, drills, and technical support to custodial facilities across the state.

REL/AMINU DALHATU 

Former Maru Sole Administrator Defects from PDP to APC in Zamfara

The immediate past Sole Administrator of Maru Local Government Area, Hon. Yusuf Sani Bindin, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State.

The development was announced in a statement issued by the APC Publicity Secretary in the state, Mallam Yusuf Idris Gusau.

According to the statement, Bindin served his local government as sole administrator for one year and, in recognition of his political experience and influence, was later appointed Programme Manager at the Zamfara State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), a position he held until his decision to leave the PDP.

Yusuf Bindin claimed that his decision to quit the PDP was due to domination of the party and the state government by a few individuals pursuing selfish interests.

He also alleged that for more than two years under the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal, it had become increasingly difficult for party members and stakeholders to gain access to the governor for meaningful engagement aimed at promoting the welfare of the people.

Bindin noted that his defection to the APC, despite the party being in opposition in the state, followed extensive consultations with his supporters, who collectively agreed that the PDP-led government had lost direction and no longer served the interests of the people.

He expressed appreciation to the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, for receiving and warmly welcoming him and his supporters into the APC.

Speaking at a reception held in his honour at his Abuja residence, Dr. Matawalle commended  him for courageous and timely decision, assuring them of equal treatment and full integration within the party.

The minister further stated that the APC remains an inclusive party and will continue to attract politicians of all categories from opposition parties in the state, particularly the PDP.

He assured the defectors that they would enjoy all rights and privileges accorded to APC members.

The event was witnessed by the APC State Chairman, Hon. Tukur Umar Danfulani; the Managing Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation (NAIC), Hon. Yazid Shehu Danfulani; and other party leaders, including Mallam Yusuf Idris Gusau, the APC Publicity Secretary.

Zamfara SSG Says Family Members Free to Choose Political Parties, Dismisses APC’s Claims

The Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG), Malam Abubakar Mohammad Nakwada, has reminded the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state that democracy guarantees every adult the freedom to belong to any political party of their choice.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant on Media, Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Sulaiman Ahmad Tudu, following the APC’s announcement of the defection of Bello Nakwada, a brother to the SSG.

Tudu stated that the political decisions of the SSG’s family members are guided by personal choice and are not an exception to democratic norms.

According to the statement, if any member of the SSG’s family does not share the vision of Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration, it remains their individual decision, stressing that, such choices do not in any way reflect the position or commitment of the SSG.

“The Secretary to the State Government remains focused on supporting His Excellency, Governor Dauda Lawal, in delivering on his transformative agenda for Zamfara State and will not be distracted by political narratives,” the statement read.

The media aide also noted that, political differences within families are not uncommon in Nigeria’s political history, citing examples of prominent political figures whose relatives belong to opposing parties.

Reacting to the APC’s claim, the statement described the party’s announcement as an attempt to exaggerate the significance of the defection by linking it to the personality of the SSG, rather than focusing on substantive political developments.

The statement further observed that, the APC’s announcement came at a time when several influential members of the party in Zamfara State were defecting to other political platforms and aligning with the administration of Governor Dauda Lawal. 

Those mentioned include a former state chairman of the APC, Alhaji Lawali Makaman Kaura, as well as notable youth mobilisers Jamilu Adamu Escape and Ramadan Mijinyawa, among others across the state.

The SSG’s office challenged the APC to address internal political inconsistencies within its ranks, questioning why a close family member of one of the party’s prominent leaders, Senator Abdulaziz Yari, is reportedly a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The statement reiterated that the Zamfara State Government remains committed to governance, stability, and the delivery of dividends of democracy to the people of the state, rather than engaging in political distractions.

Zamfara APC, SSG’s Office Trade Words Over Defection Claims

The Zamfara State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Office of the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government (SSG) have exchanged statements following the reported defection of Bello Nakwada, younger brother of the SSG, Malam Abubakar Muhammad Nakwada, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

In a statement issued by the APC Publicity Secretary in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the opposition party announced that, Bello Nakwada had officially defected from the PDP, citing alleged high-handedness, unfair treatment, and lack of internal democracy within the ruling party as reasons for his decision.

According to the APC, Nakwada publicly distanced himself from the PDP-led administration in the state, including Governor Dauda Lawal and his elder brother, the SSG. 

The party also disclosed that, a former PDP chairmanship aspirant for Gusau Local Government Area, Hassan Idris Gusau, also defected alongside Nakwada.

The APC said both politicians were received in Abuja by the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, where they pledged loyalty to the APC leadership and commended the party’s unity and internal cohesion under leaders such as Dr. Matawalle and Senator Abdulaziz Yari Abubakar.

Dr. Matawalle, while welcoming the defectors, assured them of full integration into the party and urged them to mobilise their supporters to participate in the ongoing APC e-registration exercise, describing it as vital ahead of future elections.

Reacting to the development, the Office of the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government dismissed the APC’s claims, described the publicity surrounding the defection as an attempt to manufacture political relevance amid what it termed internal challenges within the opposition party.

In a statement signed by the Senior Special Assistant on Media to the SSG, Sulaiman Ahmad Tudu, the government said the APC deliberately linked the defection to the SSG in order to exaggerate its political significance.

The statement noted that the APC announcement came at a time when several influential party members were reportedly leaving the APC to align with Governor Dauda Lawal, including a former state chairman of the party, Alhaji Lawali Makaman Kaura, as well as youth leaders Jamilu Adamu Escape and Ramadan Mijinyawa, among others across the state.

The SSG’s office stressed that, Nigeria’s democracy allows individuals the freedom to belong to any political party of their choice, adding that, family relationships do not dictate political loyalty.

It further stated that, Malam Abubakar Muhammad Nakwada remains focused on supporting Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration and would not be distracted by political propaganda or personal decisions of relatives.

Drawing comparisons, the statement recalled instances where family members have belonged to opposing political parties, including at the national level, and questioned why the APC had remained silent over similar situations within its own leadership.