APC Chieftain Defends Yari Against Claims of Supporting ADC Rival

A senior figure within the All Progressives Congress has moved to clear former Zamfara State Governor Abdul'aziz Yari from allegations of providing financial support to candidates of opposing political parties. During the week, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi issued statements rejecting reports that link Yari to Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi, an African Democratic Congress governorship contestant in Zamfara.

Shinkafi characterized such assertions as unfounded and driven by political rivals seeking to damage Yari's reputation. Shinkafi traced the source of these allegations to the moment Yari received his position as director-general within the Tinubu-Shettima presidential campaign framework.

Political competitors have, according to Shinkafi's perspective, weaponized a family connection between Yari and the ADC candidate to generate false narratives regarding electoral manipulation. Shinkafi emphasized that Yari remains committed to advancing President Bola Tinubu's political goals.

The APC chieftain also addressed a separate issue involving eight assembly members who faced suspension from the Zamfara State House of Assembly. According to documented accounts, these legislators, who subsequently exited the APC, share no political affiliations with Yari.

Shinkafi maintained that these eight suspended members possess no ties to the former governor's political circle. From February 26, 2024 onwards, the lawmakers received suspensions following charges related to assembly misconduct.

Shinkafi noted that Yari and other APC leaders made attempts to intervene in the situation surrounding the lawmakers' suspension. Available reports indicate these intervention efforts ultimately proved unsuccessful, though explanations diverge on the reasons for this failure.

Through Shinkafi's statements, the party seeks to distance Yari from both internal Zamfara political conflicts and initiatives connected to competing parties.