Group seeks Shinkafi’s arrest for defying Zamfara ban on political gathering

For allegedly defying the order of the Zamfara Government on the ban of political gatherings in the state, a group under the umbrella of Neutral Minds for Nigeria’s Political Growth and Development (NMNPGD) has called on the government to arrest an All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Sani Shinkafi, for defying the state order that prohibits political gatherings.

It would be recalled that the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, had in February 2025, in a press statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Broadcast, Media, and Public Affairs, Mustapha Kaura, banned all political activities in a move to curb escalating insecurity that is bedeviling the state.

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

However, a press statement signed by the National Coordinator of Neutral Minds for Nigeria’s Political Growth and Development, Obed Bawa, said that peace and stability in Zamfara is the responsibility of all, irrespective of location, hence the need for the government and relevant authorities to arrest defaulters of any government directive, especially as it pertains to the peace of the land.

Meanwhile, when contacted for his reaction, Shinkafi said he did not violate any executive order, as there was no white paper stopping political gatherings in Zamfara State.

“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 group’s National Coordinator alleged.

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

“We watched and listened to the statement he made during the event on some social media platforms such as MAIBIRADI TV, FARA’A TV, DAN AYA TV, and the press conference he had at night on the same day with some national televisions and national dailies newspapers, along with a host of other social media platforms. Wanban’s statement against the APC Zamfara State chapter, of which he’s a card-carrying member, Zamfara West Senatorial Zone, and also against President Bola Tinubu’s administration is capable of causing instability, therefore, he needs to be arrested.

“As a group with a neutral mind, we want the government at all levels to always stand by its words and deal with defaulters of any government order so as to serve as a deterrent to others.

“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 appointments and described him as one who owes Zamfara politicians an apology over the failure to appoint key members.

“Zamfara, according to him, is one of the states that contributed to and supported the APC in the 2023 general election, which led to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s victory in the polls, but we were neglected for appointments.

“All the appointments from Zamfara State are constitutional appointments, and we have only a few of them, unlike other states that did not vote or work for APC’s victory.”

Meanwhile, reacting, Shinkafi said in an interview that the gathering in question was not under the auspices of a political party but his organisation’s meeting, which was held within his residence; as such, it could not have constituted any security breach in the state.

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