Senator Kabir Garba Marafa, a former representative of Zamfara Central and a prominent elder within the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, has accepted the factional system introduced by the APC in Zamfara. Furthermore, he has announced the formation of his own faction within the party.
This development comes at a time when the APC in Zamfara State under the chairmanship of Alhaji Tukur Danfulani Maikatako had organized a special meeting aimed at unifying all party supporters. Ironically, this meeting has instead sparked new internal conflicts by excluding Senator Marafa and his followers from the unity efforts.
Senator Marafa has acknowledged the APC’s approach of favoring certain factions while sidelining others, particularly those with internal disputes involving influential political figures. Despite this, he has embraced the factional system, seeing it as a necessary step to protect himself and his supporters in the forthcoming political battles.
According to Marafa, every APC member should have the freedom to form and manage their own factions to safeguard their interests. In line with this belief, he has established a committee to oversee his faction’s activities within the APC, ensuring that his supporters are not marginalized.
The root of this division lies in the current leadership of the APC in Zamfara, which is perceived to be controlled by certain powerful individuals. This has led to the exclusion of Marafa’s followers from party leadership roles. In response, Marafa has affirmed his commitment to defending himself and his supporters against what he describes as unwarranted conflicts with the party’s leadership and its broader membership in Zamfara.
Senator Marafa has already appointed Alhaji Sirajo Garba Mai Katako to lead his faction, citing his proven trustworthiness and leadership capabilities. The newly formed faction is set to develop a comprehensive strategy to navigate the political landscape ahead, with Marafa expressing confidence in their plans and God’s guidance.
This factionalism within the APC in Zamfara State is likely to have significant implications for the party’s cohesion and effectiveness in future elections, as internal divisions threaten to undermine its unity and strength.
