2027: How Matawalle, Lawal outmaneuvered Yari in Zamfara APC primaries
By Idun Maximus
The recent political developments within the Zamfara State All Progressives Congress (APC) have once again exposed the deepening rivalry and shifting power equations between key political actors, particularly Senator Abdul’aziz Yari on one side, and the political alliance of Minister of State for Defence, Mohammed Bello Matawalle, and Governor Dauda Lawal on the other.
What is emerging from the aftermath of the APC National Assembly and State Assembly primaries was not just a routine party exercise, but a clear illustration of shifting political strength, strategic alignment, and grassroots mobilisation that appears to have redefined influence within the party structure in the state.
For Senator Yari, the outcome of the primaries has been interpreted by his critics as a significant setback in his long-standing struggle to maintain political dominance in Zamfara politics.
Recent developments suggest a gradual disorganization within his political camp, as key stakeholders increasingly realign with emerging power blocs.
On the other hand, the combined political weight of Matawalle and Governor Lawal is being credited by supporters as a decisive factor that shaped the direction of the primaries.
Their alignment, particularly around issues of internal democracy and resistance to perceived imposition of candidates, reportedly influenced a shift towards consensus arrangements in several constituencies.
In many cases, this resulted in the retention of serving lawmakers rather than contested primaries.
The political tension reached notable intensity in Maradun Local Government Area, the home base of Minister Matawalle, where rival camps tested their strength in what became a symbolic battleground.
The rescheduled primaries in the area reportedly saw strong mobilisation on both sides, but Matawalle’s supporters were said to have demonstrated overwhelming numerical strength, securing victories across key constituencies with wider margins than anticipated.
Beyond the electoral outcomes, political observers noted that the Maradun episode carried a deeper symbolic meaning, widely interpreted as a public demonstration of grassroots loyalty and political structure strength, particularly in response to long-standing narratives around influence, control, and supremacy within Zamfara politics.
Supporters of Matawalle framed the development as a message of political legitimacy anchored on trust, loyalty, and perceived integrity, contrasting it with what they describe as politics driven by financial inducement and elite bargaining power of Yari’s camp.
In this framing, the turnout of peasants, women, and youth in large numbers was not just electoral participation, but a reaffirmation of political identity and loyalty to Matawalle.
The scale of mobilisation in the area was also seen by some political actors as unprecedented in recent Zamfara political history, particularly during internal party contests.
The rallying of supporters for President Bola Tinubu’s second-term bid further reinforced the political messaging, positioning the exercise within a broader national alignment narrative within the APC.
However, critics of Senator Yari’s camp argue that his political trajectory in recent years reflects a gradual erosion of grassroots connection, with allegations that reliance on financial influence has not translated into sustainable loyalty.
These critics further argue that the changing political climate in Zamfara is increasingly less receptive to money-driven political control, and more responsive to structure, perception, and strategic alliances.
The roots of the current tensions could be traced back to earlier intra-party conflicts within the APC in Zamfara.
The emergence of the so-called “G8” political coalition in 2019 against Senator Yari which included figures such as Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima, Senator Kabiru Marafa, Hon. Sani Jaji, and Governor Dauda Lawal (then in a different political alignment), was itself a reflection of deep dissatisfaction with internal party processes and alleged imposition tendencies at the time.
Further criticism of Senator Yari’s political style has also resurfaced in public discourse, particularly allegations that he has, at different times, engaged in confrontational politics with both allies and opponents, something that threthen his political responsibility in farming drive state.
His perceived strained relationships with key political actors, including former associates, were often cited as evidence of a recurring pattern of intra-party friction that has shaped Zamfara’s political landscape over the years.
This style of politics, characterised by intense competition and strategic hostility, may have contributed to both victories and setbacks at different stages of his political career.
Others, however, maintain that such assertiveness is part of a broader survival strategy within a highly competitive political environment.
Within the APC structure today, there is also a growing argument that the party’s stability in Zamfara will depend heavily on reconciliation and unity among competing blocs.
With the emergence of new alignments and shifting loyalties, stakeholders are increasingly calling for restraint, internal dialogue, and renewed focus on governance and security challenges facing the state.
Ultimately, the current political chessboard in Zamfara is reflecting a broader struggle for dominance, relevance, and legacy.
Whether interpreted as a clash between money and integrity, structure and influence, or old and new political order, the unfolding dynamics suggest that the balance of power within the state’s APC is far from settled.
