By Luminous Jannamike
The camp of former Zamfara State Governor, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, has denied allegations that he is sponsoring the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate, Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi, accusing political rivals of trying to tarnish his reputation ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a statement on Saturday, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a former APGA national secretary and Zamfara North senatorial aspirant, said the allegation was part of a campaign to undermine Yari following his appointment as Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council.
“It is mischievous, false, handwork of mischief makers and political adversaries of the former governor,” he said.
Shinkafi explained that Bilyaminu was a cousin of Yari’s wife, arguing that their family connection did not establish political sponsorship. He added that the ADC candidate had previously sought the APC ticket for Zamfara North senatorial district but was not cleared by the party’s screening committee before defecting to the ADC.
The statement also rejected claims linking Yari to eight suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly who recently resigned from the APC.
“It has become necessary to state categorically that the eight suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly are not political allies of Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari,” Shinkafi said.
The lawmakers were suspended on February 26, 2024, over allegations including gross misconduct, contempt of the House and holding an unauthorised sitting. The Assembly also accused them of forceful entry into legislative offices and destruction of public property.
Shinkafi said five of the eight lawmakers were elected on the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) platform in 2023, while three won their seats on the APC platform.
The dispute continued after Governor Dauda Lawal defected from the PDP to the APC in March 2026. The suspended lawmakers had petitioned the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions over their prolonged suspension and the withholding of their salaries and allowances.
According to Shinkafi, Yari provided financial assistance to the affected lawmakers and continued efforts to broker peace, despite the failure to resolve the dispute.
“Those who blame Senator Abdul’aziz Yari for not intervening in the protracted Zamfara State House of Assembly issue did so out of ignorance and mischief,” he said.
Shinkafi urged Nigerians to disregard the allegations, insisting that Yari remained committed to Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
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