The Zamfara State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has hit back at former Senator Kabiru Marafa, dismissing his claim that he could deny President Bola Tinubu one million votes in the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement on Thursday, the state party chairman, Tukur Danfulani, described Marafa’s comment as “empty noise from a desperate politician seeking attention.”
Danfulani noted that Marafa had long lost political relevance, pointing out that he was voted out of the Senate in 2019 and failed again in the 2023 elections.
“It is laughable that Marafa, who could not even secure his ward in Yandoton Daji or his Tsafe Local Government Area, now claims he can reduce one million votes from the President. Zamfara’s entire vote count in 2023 didn’t reach such figures,” the APC chairman stated.
He credited the APC’s success in the state during the last presidential poll to influential figures such as the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, and former Governor Abdulaziz Yari, insisting that Marafa played no role.
The statement further accused Marafa of venting his frustrations after failing to secure political appointments in the Tinubu administration.
“Ordinarily, we would have ignored him. But since he mentioned the President in such a reckless manner, we must set the record straight. Zamfara APC remains united and strong, as shown in our recent victory at the Kaura Namoda South State Assembly bye-election,” Danfulani added.
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However, while the APC dismissed him, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition in the state signaled readiness to welcome Marafa.
ADC coalition chairman, Alhaji Yusuf Sa’id, said the senator’s political experience could be valuable in boosting the party’s influence.
“We welcome him wholeheartedly. Our coalition is open to everyone — former APC members, Labour Party members, NRM, and others. Marafa will be an asset to us,” Sa’id said.
Marafa, who once coordinated the Tinubu/Shettima campaign in Zamfara, had earlier declared in a Channels Television interview on September 1 that he would strip President Tinubu of at least one million votes in 2027.
“Mark my words. I will deduct one million votes from President Tinubu’s tally in 2027. That election will reveal who is a featherweight,” Marafa vowed.