A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Shinkafi, has raised the alarm over what he described as growing divisions and internal sabotage within the Zamfara State chapter of the ruling party.
Shinkafi, in a statement on Sunday, October 26, 2025, appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, to intervene immediately to prevent the crisis from worsening.
He accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of engaging in “divisive and destabilising political activities” that could undermine the party’s unity in the state.
“It is worrisome that Matawalle, who ought to use his position as former governor and current Minister of State for Defence to unite, stabilise, and strengthen APC in Zamfara State, is the person causing disaffection among party members ahead of the 2027 general election. A house divided against itself cannot stand,” Shinkafi said.
The APC chieftain accused Matawalle of neglecting his national responsibilities as Minister of State for Defence while prioritising political manoeuvres in Zamfara.
“No serious Minister of State for Defence will set aside these critical national security duties and focus on welcoming fellow APC members who switched camp to his side,” Shinkafi said.
He argued that such distractions, coupled with “poor performance and misplaced priorities”, contributed to APC’s defeat in Zamfara during the 2023 governorship election.
“It is this unnecessary distraction from statutory duties and poor performance as governor that cost APC Zamfara State in 2023. That mistake is being played out again ahead of 2027, now as minister, which could endanger the victory of President Tinubu in the state and the North-West in general, where the President garnered the highest votes in the 2023 presidential election,” he warned.
Shinkafi cautioned that if Matawalle’s alleged divide-and-rule tactics continued unchecked, the APC risked another major loss in the 2027 general elections.
“I urge Mr President and the APC National Chairman to call Bello Matawalle to order before it is too late. The party cannot afford to lose Zamfara State due to avoidable internal squabbles and lack of cohesion,” he said.
According to him, Matawalle’s attitude has alienated several influential figures in the state, including Senator Kabiru Marafa, who resigned from the APC citing disharmony and lack of inclusiveness.
Shinkafi advised the former governor to seek reconciliation and forgiveness from those he may have offended rather than fuelling divisions.
“Having stepped on many toes as governor and minister, what is expected of Matawalle is to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. It is awkward that party chieftains would leave the APC, and Matawalle would throw red carpet to welcome a few of their supporters to his camp,” he stated.
He also called on the party’s national leadership to focus on membership mobilisation, unity, and grassroots rebuilding, noting that internal wrangling could weaken the APC’s electoral chances in the North-West.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Zamfara APC has been embroiled in an internal crisis since the 2023 elections, with factions loyal to Matawalle and other senior stakeholders trading accusations of betrayal and sabotage.
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