A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has denied claims linking former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul'aziz Abubakar Yari, to eight suspended members of the state House of Assembly who recently resigned from the ruling party. The lawmakers were suspended on February 26, 2024, over allegations of gross misconduct, conspiracy, mischief, contempt of the House, and convening an unauthorized sitting.
Shinkafi attributed the resignation of the lawmakers to unresolved disciplinary proceedings, withheld salaries and entitlements, and the party's alleged refusal to grant them tickets for the 2027 elections. The eight lawmakers are Aliyu Ango Kagara, Ibrahim Tukur Bakura, Faruk Musa Dosara, Bashir Abubakar Masama, Muktaru Nasiru Kaura, Nasiru Abdullahi, Bashar Bello, and Bashar Aliyu.
Shinkafi also accused political opponents of circulating false claims that Yari was sponsoring the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Zamfara State, Hon. Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi. He described the allegations as a campaign of calumny aimed at undermining Yari's political standing and reputation.
According to Shinkafi, the Assembly subsequently instituted criminal proceedings against the affected lawmakers, while the dispute remained unresolved despite interventions by political stakeholders. He said the Assembly leadership had refused to lift their suspension, leaving the legislators without salaries, allowances, and other entitlements.
Shinkafi disclosed that Yari had intervened to secure an amicable resolution, including appealing to Governor Dauda Lawal and the Assembly leadership to restore the lawmakers' entitlements. However, the efforts failed, and the prolonged withholding of their remuneration exposed the suspended legislators to financial difficulties, prompting Yari to provide financial assistance and settle their outstanding bank loans.
Shinkafi further disclosed that five of the eight lawmakers were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 general elections before defecting to the APC. He argued that their political backgrounds contradicted claims that they were Yari's loyalists.
Shinkafi expressed confidence that Yari would deliver Zamfara State for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, citing his political experience, grassroots influence, and leadership capacity. He urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as misinformation about the former governor and the party.
Key points
- APC chieftain denies links between Yari and defecting lawmakers
- Dispute over lawmakers' suspension and entitlements remains unresolved
- Yari's leadership capacity and experience to aid APC in 2027 election
