A Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara, Sani Shinkafi, has dismissed allegations that the Director-General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Council, Sen. Abdul’aziz Yari, is sponsoring the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate in the state, Bilyaminu Yusuf Shinkafi.

Shinkafi, who was Patron of the 2023 Tinubu/Shettima Presidential Campaign Council, stated this in a statement on Saturday in Abuja.

He described the allegation in a statement on Saturday in Abuja as mischievous blackmail sponsored by political opponents envious of Yari’s rising influence.

He explained that the ADC candidate is a nephew of former Zamfara Governor Mahmud Shinkafi and a cousin to Yari’s wife, but noted that family ties do not translate to political sponsorship.

He disclosed that Bilyaminu was an APC aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial District before his disqualification by the party’s screening committee, which prompted his defection to the ADC.

“The ADC candidate was previously appointed commissioner by former Governor Bello Matawalle and later served as a Federal Commissioner in the National Assembly Service Commission. He remains a political ally of Matawalle, not Yari,” Shinkafi said.

He reassured party members that the APC in Zamfara remains strong, vibrant, and united under Yari’s leadership.

Addressing the recent resignation of eight suspended members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly from the APC, Shinkafi stated that they were not Yari’s political allies.

He noted that the lawmakers were suspended on Feb. 26, 2024, for alleged gross misconduct, contempt, and illegal sitting, adding that five of them were former PDP members.

According to him, Yari made several attempts to reconcile the affected lawmakers and Governor Dauda Lawal, even providing financial support to the suspended legislators during their ordeal without salaries.

He urged the public to disregard rumors aimed at undermining Yari’s political standing, describing him as a compassionate leader dedicated to peace and party unity.