By Suleman Ahmad Tudu
The resignation of Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa from the All Progressive Congress (APC) has recently reactivated some political debates and 2027 permutations that dominated the cyberspace in Zamfara state and beyond.
Sen. Marafa’s long-overdue exit from the party has never taken me by surprise because I foresaw it coming. I have since subjected Zamfara APC into a ‘miscibility’ test and what I saw was a heterogeneous mixture of ‘immiscible actors’ that can only stay in one platform but will always form distinct layers.
Somewhere around March 2024, I predicted that two of the major APC constituents (referring to Marafa and Sani Jaji) in the state with similar ‘progressive ideologies' will soon be forced out of the mixture by their fellows that share the opposite of their ideals. It seems the chicken is coming home to roost!
I was a fan of Sen Marafa, because I believe he means well for Zamfara State going by his political antecedents and track record of service. I like his courage, boldness and doggedness especially during the G-8 struggles. I also admired his outspokenness when he was in the red chamber, especially when he single-handedly rallied his colleague Senators to appropriate N10 billion for Zamfara State over devastation caused by banditry into the 2019 budget and for empowering many of his constituents.
However, Marafa's major undoing, and perhaps, his biggest political miscalculation was subscribing to the APC’s deceptive and desperate power-grabbing arrangement in the name of ‘Sulhu’, a derailment that has significantly depleted his popularity in the state.
His recent resignation from the APC—a party that failed to provide good governance while in power and now failed to provide responsible opposition in Zamfara—is a good step towards his political redemption. Though, this depends on Senator Marafa’s next political move because it has been proven that being in the wrong company has the potential to spoil someone's future and vice-versa. Hence, I see the imperative to offer a recommendation while the Senator is weighing his options.
Looking at the current political landscape in Zamfara and Nigeria at large, I humbly wish to invite Senator Marafa to join forces with Governor Dauda Lawal in the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to move Zamfara forward. The reasons for this suggestion are not far-fetched.
Both Governor Lawal and Senator Marafa were once friends united in the G-8 struggle that fought against the former Governor Yari's selfish imposition of candidates when they were both in APC. This signifies that they share some similar visions for the progress of Zamfara State and strengthening democracy. Their reunion could therefore be the game-changer the state needs.
Moreover, despite its not insurmountable internal crisis, the PDP remains the only formidable national party that can challenge the excesses of the APC, because it has a strong grassroots structure and support base, not only in Zamfara but across the country which would provide Senator Marafa with a solid foundation to build on.
By joining the PDP, Senator Marafa would not only add to Governor Lawal's numbers but also contribute to his re-election, allowing him to continue doing good for the people of Zamfara that Senator Marafa had also been advocating. I believe even Senator Marafa will love to join Governor Lawal's moving train and be part of the rescue consolidation project beyond 2027.
It is worth noting that Senator Marafa was once a member of the PDP, so rejoining the party now would be a homecoming of sorts. On the other hand, if he were to join another party that lacks a grassroots support base, such as the ADC coalition, he might not make any significant difference and that will be politically unwise.
I therefore believe that joining hands with Governor Dauda Lawal in the PDP would be the best decision for Senator Marafa going forward, allowing him to leverage the party's structure and Governor Lawal's rising popularity to redeem politically and contribute towards achieving a greater Zamfara of our dreams. I hope the distinguished Senator will critically ponder on this with alacrity.
Tudu is a Senior Special Assistant on Media, Office of the Secretary to the Zamfara State Government.
sulemantudu22@gmail.com
