Zamfara North Senators Sponsored 10 Bills In 28 Years, Says Shinkafi

A senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North Senatorial District, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has said o that lawmakers who have represented the zone over the past 28 years sponsored 10 bills.

Shinkafi made the remark yesterday when he addressed journalists after submitting his All Progressives Congress (APC) expression of interest and nomination forms in Abuja.

The APC chieftain said he is in the race to correct poor representation, which has relegated the once-vibrant senatorial district to the background.

He lamented that from 1999 to date, there has been no power shift, with the senatorial seat dominated by the Anka/Maru (Ara Namoda) axis, leaving other areas feeling marginalised.

“This marks the beginning of a new era in the North Senatorial District because, for over two to three decades—from 1999 to 2027—there has been no power shift.

“The office of the Senate has been dominated by Anka/Maru (Ara Namoda axis). Of the four local government areas that make up the district—Shinkafi, Kaura Namoda (Ara Namoda), Birnin Magaji and Zurmi—some have felt marginalised.

“The people elected to represent us in the Senate have not done much in terms of proper legislation. If you assess the first 28 years of representation in the Red Chamber, fewer than 10 bills have been sponsored,” he said.

“In the three senatorial zones where we have universities, senators representing Zamfara North have not been able to attract any meaningful federal government projects to our zone — not even a single one.

“So we feel that those who have occupied the office have not represented the good people of Zamfara North well. This is the time for change — a new beginning in the senatorial district. We are tired of political slavery, and it is time for us to break free from that political captivity,” he said.

Shinkafi added that, as a democrat, he is not comfortable with a consensus arrangement and will not step down for anyone.

“Let me explain the law. The provisions of the Electoral Act 2022 are very clear on the mode of primaries and the modalities involved. When aspirants agree to consensus, then consensus is adopted.

“If there is no agreement, then direct primaries must be used. Direct primaries are the first option; if that fails, then consensus can be considered.

“As far as I am concerned, I am not ready for consensus. I am not ready to step down. I want to exercise my right as provided by the Electoral Act. Therefore, we must go for direct primaries. Whoever wins carries the day.

“There are about eight of us contesting, and the current occupant has been there for 16 years. This is inequality, injustice and clear marginalisation. We cannot continue like this. There must be a power shift among the local governments,” he added.

Another senatorial aspirant on the APC platform, Senator Ayo Arise, who seeks the Ekiti North Senatorial District ticket for 2027, said he responded to calls from his constituents to return to the Senate, having represented them well during his earlier tenure.

“There is a great call of duty from my people in Ekiti North Senatorial District because they have been expressing nostalgia not only for my representation when I was in the Senate, but also for the achievements I recorded for the district, among which is the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, which has now reached almost the entire senatorial district.

“We are very fortunate. We had a system that allowed for a multi‑campus structure, and successive vice‑chancellors have been able to extend opportunities for education, commerce and development to the nooks and crannies of the North Senatorial District, save for a few local governments.

“Those few local governments have been calling on me to intervene and speak with the university management so that they can also benefit from the opportunity that is helping our district to grow.

“For me, I had to answer because I felt I can still add much more value, and that is why I have decided to run again. So let the people of the senatorial district decide who they think can better represent them,” he added.