Group Wants Zamfara APC’s Chieftain Arrested For Defying Political Gathering Ban

A group named Neutral Minds for Nigeria’s Political Growth and Development, has asked the Zamfara State Government to arrest All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, for allegedly defying the ban on political gathering in the state.

But when contacted for his reaction on the allegation of settling government orders, Shinkafi said he did not violate any executive order, as there was no white paper stopping political gatherings in Zamfara State.

The Zamfara State Governor Dauda Lawal, in February, 2025, in a press statement signed by his senior special assistant on Broadcast, Media, and Public Affairs, Mustapha Jafaru Kaura, said the government has banned all political activities in the State as a move to curb escalating Insecurity bedevilling the state.

The directive was in response to a security breach in Maru Local Government Area, which heightened concerns over security in the state.

The national coordinator of Neutral Minds for Nigeria’s Political Growth and Development, Obed Bawa, accused Shinkafi of inaugurating his political movement on February 5 this year at his Gusau residence in the state.

Bawa said, “We call on the government of Zamfara state and all relevant authorities to rise and do the needful by arresting Sani Abdullahi Wanban Shinkafi, who defied the order on 5th February, 2025 by inaugurating his political movement tagged ” Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Fronts” at his Gusau, residence.

“The formal Launching of the Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Fronts last Wednesday, was against the state government’s directives and has heightened tension in Zamfara.”

Bawa said Shinkafi’s criticism of APC, which he belongs to, and also of President Bola Tinubu during the event and at a press conference he held later the same day, was capable of causing instability in the state.

“Sani Abdullahi at the event also declared his intention to run for the Governorship of Zamfara state come 2027 under the platform of the APC, which is also coming at the wrong time and may cause political tension in Zamfara.

“The APC Chieftain who was a former National Secretary of APGA also accused president bola Ahmed Tinubu of lopsided appointment and described him as one that is owing Zamfara politicians apology over failure to appoint key members.”

Reacting however, Shinkafi told our correspondent that the gathering in question was not under the auspices of a political party. He said it was his organisation’s meeting which was held within his residence, and as such, it could not have constituted a security breach in the state.

On his alleged criticism of President Tinubu over appointment, Shinkafi said he stood by his words, saying that Zamfara State has not been politically rewarded for its massive contribution to the election of President Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.