Former Zamfara Central Senator, Kabiru Marafa, has emerged as the governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) ahead of the 2027 elections, further reshaping the political landscape in the northwestern state.
Marafa, a former ally of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), clinched the party’s ticket unopposed after leading the NDC’s grassroots mobilisation efforts across Zamfara. His emergence signals the beginning of what analysts predict could become one of the fiercest governorship contests in the state’s recent political history.
The ex-lawmaker, known for his strong political influence in Zamfara Central, defected to the NDC earlier this year following disagreements within both the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC), where he briefly pitched camp amid ongoing political realignments ahead of 2027.
Political observers believe Marafa’s candidacy could significantly alter existing power calculations in Zamfara, especially given his longstanding rivalry with key figures in the APC and his reputation for commanding a loyal grassroots following.
His emergence also comes as opposition parties intensify efforts to challenge the dominance of the APC in the state, with major political actors already positioning themselves for the highly anticipated governorship race.
Marafa, who previously represented Zamfara Central in the Senate, is expected to officially unveil his campaign structure in the coming weeks as consultations and alliances continue across the state.
