By Yusuf Idris Gusau
The recent by-election in Kaura-Namoda South State Constituency has once again reaffirmed the dominance of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, as the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suffered a heavy defeat at the polls.
The election, which held in two phases, ended with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declaring APC candidate, Malam Kamilu Sa’idu, as the winner after polling 8,182 votes against the PDP’s 5,543. The Returning Officer, Professor Lawal Sa’adu of the Federal University Gusau, announced the result in the early hours of Thursday, August 21, 2025.
The poll was initially conducted on Saturday, August 16, but declared inconclusive due to irregularities in five polling units in Sakajiki and Kyambarawa. INEC later scheduled a supplementary election, where the APC widened its lead from 7,001 to over 8,000 votes, while PDP only managed a marginal increase.
The outcome has been described by the APC as a reflection of the people’s rejection of the PDP-led government in the state. According to the party, the electorate used the by-election to express dissatisfaction with the administration’s unfulfilled promises on security, development, and welfare.
The APC also accused the ruling party of attempting to disrupt the process through violence and intimidation, which was swiftly curtailed by the intervention of security agencies. The Commissioner of Police had earlier warned that only conventional security personnel would be allowed to provide coverage during the election.
Despite these measures, PDP’s National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba, alleged that the APC manipulated the process by “militarising” the election and intimidating voters—an accusation strongly dismissed by the APC.
The election also exposed the rising political tension in Zamfara. The APC maintained that instead of addressing insecurity, Governor Dauda Lawal’s administration had resorted to blame games and the use of political thugs. The party further criticised the PDP governors who visited Zamfara for their 102nd forum meeting, accusing them of failing to sympathise with victims of recent bandit attacks in Banga village, where 38 people were killed.
For many residents, the PDP’s defeat serves as a lesson in leadership and accountability. They believe the people can no longer be swayed by empty promises, and that the ruling party faces an uphill task ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Kaura-Namoda South by-election, therefore, stands as both a warning and a pointer: that political power ultimately belongs to the people, and that APC remains the strongest political force in Zamfara State.
— Idris Gusau is the Zamfara State APC Publicity Secretary
1st September, 2025.
