Zamfara APC Says Marafa’s Is A Joker Over 1 Millon Votes Claim

The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims by former Senator Kabiru Garba Marafa that he delivered one million votes to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2023 presidential election and could deny him similar support in 2027.

In a strongly worded statement, the party described Marafa’s comments as “baseless and laughable,” insisting that the APC’s success in Zamfara was driven by the popularity of key leaders such as former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, rather than Marafa’s efforts.

“Marafa could not even win his constituency in the 2023 elections, let alone claim to have secured one million votes for the President,” the statement said. “The votes were largely a product of the confidence the electorate have in the APC and its respected leaders in Zamfara.”

The party explained that Matawalle, who served as Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council Coordinator for the Northwest, had initially been appointed to double as Zamfara State coordinator but reluctantly recommended Marafa for the role.

“Having lost everywhere, Marafa, who insisted on a high-ranking government appointment, resorted to creating problems and engaging in alliances that soon collapsed once his selfish motives became clear,” the statement added.

The APC cited its recent victory in the Kaura Namoda South State House of Assembly bye-election as evidence of its continued dominance in the state, claiming that Marafa made no contribution to the win and even attempted anti-party activities.

“It is laughable that Marafa, who could not win his ward, local government, or senatorial district, now boasts of reducing one million votes from President Tinubu’s tally in 2027. The entire votes cast in Zamfara in 2023 were not even close to one million,” the party said.

The statement accused Marafa of being frustrated by his electoral losses and failure to secure a federal appointment, urging him to “face reality and reassess his popularity among the people of Zamfara.”

“Ordinarily, we would not have responded to a rejected politician like him. But since he has chosen to attack the President, it is necessary to set the record straight,” the party concluded.