Former senator Kabiru Garba Marafa and his followers have selected the African Democratic Congress (ADC) as their political vehicle for the 2027 elections, following a closed‑door caucus held in Kaduna State.
The movement's secretary, Aminu A. Jelani, said the choice emerged after "extensive consultations and review of prevailing political realities." He reported that the gathering voted unanimously to adopt the ADC and instructed members across Zamfara's 14 local government areas to begin party registration and ramp up grassroots mobilisation.
Jelani quoted the directive: "All members, supporters, coordinators, and stakeholders… are hereby directed to immediately commence registration with the ADC and intensify grassroots mobilisation efforts in all wards, local governments, and senatorial districts." He added that the ADC leadership had formally invited Marafa's group, with former Inspector General of Police Mohammed Dikko Abubakar helping to arrange the engagement.
The statement pledged to work with the ADC "in good faith, sincerity, and openness," urging the party to ensure inclusiveness. It reaffirmed the movement's commitment to "good governance, justice, accountability, and people oriented leadership," and described the shift as a "new phase of strategic political engagement." The development arrives as political actors nationwide begin positioning for the 2027 polls.
Marafa's alignment with the ADC, facilitated by ex‑IGP Mohammed Dikko Abubakar, introduces a potentially decisive third‑force in Zamfara's opposition arena.
Zamfara has long been a battleground for the APC and PDP, yet Marafa commands a substantial network that spans every local government area. His group's unanimous caucus vote and the immediate push for ADC registration indicate a calculated effort to carve out a distinct political niche ahead of the 2027 cycle.
For voters in rural wards and senatorial districts, the emergence of a coordinated ADC platform could split the anti‑incumbent vote, reshaping local council outcomes and influencing the distribution of legislative seats.
The move mirrors a growing pattern of regional leaders breaking from the two‑major‑party dominance, suggesting an increasingly fragmented Nigerian political landscape.
