By Luminous Jannamike

ABUJA — A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has picked his expression of interest and nomination forms to contest the Zamfara North Senatorial seat in the 2027 general election, entering a race increasingly defined by zoning demands within the district.

His move follows sustained agitation by stakeholders in Zamfara North who say the senatorial seat has remained in one part of the district since 1999, leaving other local government areas, particularly Shinkafi Local Government, without representation.

In a statement by Barr. Yazid Salihu Aliyu, his Special Adviser on Legal Matters, Shinkafi said the decision to run came after pressure from the people of the zone.

He said, “Since the inception of this democracy in 1999, the good people of Zamfara North Senatorial District lack effective, efficient and purposeful representation in the senate which denied them desired dividends of democracy.

“The senate position has stayed in one area of the senatorial district depriving other local government areas in the zone the opportunity to produce a senator as obtainable in other senatorial districts.”

On the zoning demand, he said the push to move the seat to Shinkafi Local Government Area is rooted in fairness and inclusion.

“The indigenes of Zamfara North demand that the senatorial seat be zoned to Shinkafi Local Government in the interest of justice, fair play, equity and inclusivity. This will foster unity, peace, progress and advancement of Zamfara North that has been marginalised for long by previous administrations in the state,” he said.

According to him, his decision to run is also aimed at addressing the district’s long-standing security and development challenges through lawmaking and constituency projects.

Expressing confidence in the APC’s prospects, he said Zamfara remains a party stronghold and that it will deliver victories in all elective positions in 2027, including for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.