APC’s direct primaries, best option for democracy — Shinkafi

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and senatorial aspirant in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has stated that he will not step down for any other aspirant. He believes that direct primaries are the best option for developing democracy.

In a radio call-in program on Thursday night, Dr Shinkafi welcomed the APC’s decision to hold direct primaries for aspirants, emphasising that this approach allows constituents to choose their representatives.

He expressed that his aspiration for the Zamfara North Senate seat is not just a personal desire but reflects the wishes of his constituents, who believe it is time for credible and people-oriented representation.

“I was called to serve by my constituents from Shinkafi, Zurmi, Birnin Magaji and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas that constitute Zamfara North senatorial zone”.

Dr Sani Abdullahi Wanban Shinkafi was a former national secretary of APGA and Zamfara State gubernatorial candidate who contested for 16 years and later joined APC in 2021 in the state.

He lamented the political inequity of Shinkafi, stressing that the Shinkafi local government was sidelined in terms of ministerial appointment since the return of democracy.

He further revealed that for 28 years, only Kaura Namoda Local Government had been producing a senator in the Zone, while the three local government areas of Shinkafi, Zurmi and Birnin Magaji were not given the chance to produce even once.

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“The Senator seat in Zamfara North is not an inheritance attached only to Kaura Namoda can produce it, the entire three local governments in the zone also have the mandate to produce Senator.”

Dr Shinkafi highlighted that the two zones in Zamfara, central and west, have an even distribution of Senatorial seats and other political positions since the return of democracy, unlike the Northern Zone, where for 28 years, only one local government took the seat.

“Let me say it, my political journey was to develop not to whichunt. God is my guide in this political journey. I stand by my words not to step down for any aspirant until we go into direct primaries,” he vowed.

“I welcome the direct primaries of our great party, APC, and it’s the best option, best for the development of democracy.

“I urge the electorate to choose a candidate that has people at heart, a true servant to the people,” he concluded.