The resignation was formally submitted on Saturday to the Chairman of Galadima/Yan Ruwa Ward in Moriki, Zurmi Local Government Area. The move adds to growing internal discontent within the party in the zone and comes just weeks ahead of a crucial court judgment that could determine who flies the APC flag for Zamfara North.
In his resignation statement, Dr. Hanafi said he could no longer remain in a party where, according to him, internal democracy had collapsed. He accused the APC leadership in the state of imposing a candidate for the senatorial district without conducting a proper primary election.
“As of now, I have resigned my membership of the APC. The process that produced our candidate was flawed and undemocratic,” he said.
Dr. Hanafi, who is popularly known as Turakin Moriki, has been one of the most visible aspirants in Zamfara North politics. His exit is seen as a major blow to the APC’s structure in the district, where the party is already grappling with factional disputes and legal challenges.
As of press time, the former aspirant did not announce which political party he plans to join next. Political observers say his next move will be closely watched, given his influence and followership across Zurmi, Kaura Namoda, Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi and other parts of Zamfara North.
The resignation comes at a tense moment for the APC in the state. The Federal High Court in Gusau has scheduled August 31, 2026, to deliver judgment in a suit filed by another prominent party chieftain, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi.
Dr. Shinkafi is challenging the conduct of the APC senatorial primary election in Zamfara North, arguing that due process was not followed. The court case and Dr. Hanafi’s resignation are now being viewed together as twin setbacks that could reshape the party’s fortunes ahead of the next elections.
Party stakeholders in the district say the developments have thrown the APC’s calculations into confusion. Some members fear that more defections could follow if the court rules against the party or if internal reconciliation fails. Others believe the leadership still has time to mend fences and present a united front.
The crisis in Zamfara North APC is not new. For months, different groups within the party have accused one another of imposition, exclusion, and failure to respect party guidelines. The absence of a credible primary, as alleged by Dr. Hanafi, has become a major grievance among aspirants who feel sidelined.
Political analysts say Zamfara North is strategically important because of its voting strength and its border location. Whoever represents the district in the Senate is expected to play a key role in both state and national politics, especially on issues of security, agriculture and cross-border trade.
With Dr. Hanafi out of the APC, attention will now shift to how the party manages the fallout. Will it reach out to aggrieved members, or will more leaders walk away? And how will the August 31 court judgment affect the party’s candidate list?
For now, APC leaders in Zamfara have not issued an official response to Dr. Hanafi’s resignation. The party’s state secretariat is expected to meet in the coming days to review the situation and decide on next steps.
Meanwhile, supporters of Dr. Hanafi in Moriki and across Zurmi LGA have described his decision as principled. They say he chose to leave rather than accept what they called an unjust process.
The coming weeks will likely determine whether the APC can contain the damage in Zamfara North, or whether the combination of court action and high-profile resignations will hand an advantage to rival parties in the district.
