A leading figure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has defended his presence at a recent project commissioning event hosted by Governor Dauda Lawal of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), stating that his attendance was driven by patriotism and a commitment to the state’s development.
Speaking to journalists in Gusau, the state capital, Dr. Shinkafi emphasized that his participation should not be misinterpreted as a defection or change in political allegiance.
“I remain a committed member of the APC. My attendance was not about party lines but about celebrating progress in Zamfara,” he said. “Let us set politics aside and put Zamfara first.”
The commissioning event, attended by notable dignitaries including former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Governor Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi, and former Ambassador to the UAE, Abubakar Chika Shehu Bungudu, featured infrastructure projects initiated by the Lawal administration.
Dr. Shinkafi commended Governor Lawal for what he described as tangible development across key sectors such as education and infrastructure.
“Governor Dauda Lawal has changed the narrative in Zamfara. The developments we’re seeing are real and unprecedented,” he noted.
He went further to warn that if the current pace of development is sustained, the opposition might face an uphill task in the 2027 elections.
“If this momentum continues, the opposition will stand little chance in 2027. The people can see the difference,” he remarked.
In a sharp critique of past administrations, Dr. Shinkafi accused former leaders of awarding “phantom contracts” and squandering public funds.
“I’m not praising blindly. I speak from what I’ve seen on ground,” he said.
Dr. Shinkafi concluded by thanking Governor Lawal for the invitation and reaffirmed his loyalty to the APC. He urged all political actors in the state to prioritize unity and support efforts to move Zamfara forward.
“Politics must take a back seat when it comes to the development of our state. We must give the governor the space to work without distractions,” he said.