The event drew party chieftains, stakeholders, and supporters from across the 14 local government areas. It was also used to reintroduce the PDP governorship candidate for 2027, Engineer Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye, and to make a strong case for why the party should return to power in Zamfara.
Speaking during the announcement, the PDP candidate for Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency, Kabiru Mande Tsafe, congratulated Talban Zurmi for “throwing away APC and joining the only party that can win the 2027 general elections.”
He urged other politicians still in APC and other opposition parties to emulate Talban Zurmi and join the PDP.
"Engineer Ibrahim Shehu Gusau is an experienced person that can deliver," Mande said. "There is no threat that can scare him, because he served in the military and has leadership experience. He was also a member of the House of Representatives representing Gusau and Tsafe, and during that time he did things that no one who has ever occupied that seat has been able to match."
Mande described Bakauye as a dedicated son of Zamfara who understands both security and governance. According to him, the former lawmaker’s background in the military and his record in the National Assembly make him the right person to tackle the security and development challenges facing the state.
Beyond 2027 politics, Kabiru Mande also used the occasion to speak on history and identity. He called on the Governor of Zamfara State, Dauda Lawal, to seek out experts to brief him on the history of how the struggle for the creation of Zamfara State was fought.
"Because if you don’t know the history of something, you won’t know its importance," he said.
Mande argued that every anniversary celebration of the creation of Zamfara State should involve the people who fought for it. And where they are no longer alive, their families should be invited and honored in their place.
He recalled that the agitation for Zamfara State went on for many years before it finally materialized in 1996 when the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha carved Zamfara out of Sokoto State. The first civilian governor was Alhaji Jibril Yakubu.
Kabiru Mande then listed the names of the prominent figures he said led the struggle: Aliyu Gusau, Malam Yahaya Gusau, MZ Anka, Dr. Garba Nadama, Alhaji Tambaya Tsafe, Alhaji Shehu Bakauye, Dan Gwaggo Bungudu, Sarkin Fawa Bakura, Alhaji Mande Tsafe, Marafan Sokoto, and Alhaji Lugga Maru.
He noted that the movement was coordinated under the leadership of Malam Yahaya Gusau. At the time, the delegation traveled to the National Assembly to present their case.
"In that period, these people went all the way to the Senate," he said. "The Senate President even commended them for their advocacy and gave them assurance, saying if it was possible Zamfara State would be announced right there."
Mande also took a swipe at what he called the failure to properly honor the founding fathers of the state. He cited the recent decision by Governor Dauda Lawal to name a neighborhood after his Chief of Staff.
"If we follow history, it should have been named after his father, not him, because his father was part of the group that fought for the creation of this state," Mande said.
He acknowledged that leadership comes from God, and that he has no problem with those currently in power even if they do not have a direct link to the state’s creation struggle.
"There are some people who do not know the history of this state, and they have no connection to this history. But by the will of Allah, He has given them the leadership of this state. And we have no problem with that, because we know that Allah gives leadership to whoever He wills," he said.
"However, it would be proper for those who fought for the creation of this state to be honored. And if they are no longer alive, their families should be honored on their behalf."
Mande said the PDP is the natural home for the legacies of the Zamfara founding fathers because many of their children are now active in the party.
He further said that within this PDP party there are the children of those people who fought for the creation of this state. Among them is: Governorship candidate, Engineer Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye, PDP State Chairman, Zilfikar Auwal Tambaya Tsafe, and himself, Kabiru Mande Tsafe, who is contesting for Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency.
Political analysts in the state say the PDP is consolidating early ahead of 2027 by bringing back experienced politicians and tying its campaign to Zamfara history and identity.
For now, the APC is yet to respond to the latest wave of defections. But with the PDP presenting Engineer Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye as its governorship flagbearer and actively recruiting former APC bigwigs, the contest for Zamfara in 2027 is already shaping up to be intense.
As Kabiru Mande put it: "The only party that can win 2027 is PDP. Join us now so that together we can rescue Zamfara."
