Arrest Shinkafi now, group tells Gov Dauda Lawal

By Abdullahi Alhassan,  Kaduna

A Group under the auspices of Neutral minds for Nigeria’s Political Growth and Development, has called on Zamfara state Government to arrest an APC chieftain, Sani Abdullahi Wamban Shinkafi for defying state order that prohibits political gathering in the state.

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 Jafaru Kaura banned all political activities in a move to curb escalating Insecurity bedevilling the state.

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

A press statement signed by the National coordinator of Neutral Minds for Nigeria’s Political growth and Development Obed Bawa said peace and stability in Zamfara is the responsibility of all irrespective of location, hence the need for Government and relevant authorities to arrest defaulters of any government directives especially as it has to do with the peace of the Land.

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

According to the group, “We call on the government of Zamfara state and all relevant authorities to rise and do the needful by arresting Sani Abdullahi Wamban 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 alleged.

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 such as MAIBIRADI TV, FARA’A TV, DAN lYA TV and the press conference he had at night same day with some national Televisions and National Dailies Newspapers and a host of other social media platforms, Wambai’s statement against the APC Zamfara state chapter which he’s a card carrying member, Zamfara West Senatorial Zone and also against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is capable of causing instability, therefore need to be arrested” Obed Said.

“As a group with a neutral mind we want government at all levels to always stand by its words and deal with defaulters of any government order so as to serve as 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 appointment and described him as one that is owing Zamfara politicians appology over failure to appoint key members.

“Zamfara according to him is one of the states that contributed 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 has not vote not work for APC’s victory” Shinkafi alleged.

Shinkafi told our Correspondent that, the gathering in question was not under the auspices of a political party, but his organization’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 Ahmed Tinubu over appointment, Shinkafi said, he stood by his words, saying that, Zamfara State has not been politically rewarded for its massive contribution to the election of President Tinubu in the 2023 general elections.