Tension appears to be brewing within the Zamfara chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following allegations by former governorship candidate Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi that his supporters are being deliberately excluded from the party’s ongoing electronic membership registration.
In a formal petition dated January 14 and addressed to the APC National Secretariat, Shinkafi claimed that members of his political structure — known as the Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Front — have been denied access to the digital registration process across the state’s 14 local government areas and 147 wards.
The Zamfara APC recently commenced its e-registration drive as part of a broader nationwide membership update initiative. However, Shinkafi argues that the exercise in the state is being manipulated in a manner that sidelines those aligned with his camp.
He cited Article 9(1) of the APC constitution, insisting that the alleged actions contravene the party’s governing framework. According to him, complaints have poured in from coordinators and grassroots members who claim they were instructed by certain local officials to omit individuals perceived as loyal to him.
Shinkafi further alleged that some ward and local government executives were quietly removed from the registration process, a move he described as strategic and calculated. He directly accused Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, of orchestrating the exclusion, despite the affected individuals being recognized members of the party.
Expressing concern over the implications, Shinkafi warned that such actions could erode trust in the reform initiative and deepen factional divisions within the Zamfara APC. He argued that intimidation and selective participation threaten internal democracy and weaken party cohesion.
As part of his appeal, he urged the APC National Chairman and the National Working Committee to constitute an independent investigative panel to review the complaints. He emphasized that any party official found culpable should face disciplinary measures as stipulated in the party’s constitution.
Shinkafi also cautioned that failing to resolve the matter promptly could undermine the objectives of the digital registration drive. He suggested that unresolved grievances might trigger renewed internal crises similar to those that preceded the party’s defeats in the 2019 and 2023 elections, when it lost the state to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Political Analysis and Context
The allegations highlight the delicate balance between party reforms and internal power struggles. Digital membership registration is typically designed to promote transparency and accurate data management. However, when factional rivalries exist, even administrative exercises can become flashpoints.
Zamfara’s political landscape has experienced recurring divisions, and claims of exclusion often reflect deeper contests for influence ahead of future elections. If not carefully managed, disputes over membership legitimacy could reshape alliances within the state chapter.
For the APC’s national leadership, the situation presents a test of its commitment to fairness and institutional integrity. Ensuring that all verified members can participate in party processes may prove critical in preventing further fragmentation.
As the controversy unfolds, observers will watch closely to see whether the party opts for reconciliation, investigation, or internal disciplinary action to address the concerns raised.
© 2025 Gossip News Now , a division of CHIEJOS HARBIAN DIGITAL MEDIA LTD. Contact us via admin@gossipnewsnow.online ,
