The explanation was given during this week's edition of the weekly political programme titled 'GASKIYA BATA NEMAN ADO' which airs on Pride FM Radio, Gusau. The programme is sponsored by Zulfikar Auwal Tambaya Tsafe in collaboration with the Zamfara State governorship candidate, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye, and anchored by Nasiru Masu Adafka.
This week's edition featured the PDP State Publicity Secretary, Kabirudeen Muhammad Tsafe, the PDP Chairman of Bukkuyum Local Government, Hon. Bala Alhaji Zarumai, the PDP Chairman of Anka Local Government, Hon. Sanusi Ibrahim Anka, and the PDP candidate for Tsafe East State Assembly constituency, Hon. Abdullahi Tambai Tsafe.
Speaking at the beginning of the programme, the PDP Publicity Secretary apologized to supporters who have been complaining about what they described as the slow pace of the party's public engagements.
He said many party faithful were anxious to see the PDP hit the ground running with full-scale campaigns across the state, especially now that INEC has given all political actors the freedom to solicit support.
The Publicity Secretary, however, gave a detailed explanation on why the party has chosen to adopt a strategic approach rather than rushing into open campaigns, assuring that the party is working behind the scenes to strengthen its structures across the 14 local government areas.
On his part, the PDP Chairman of Bukkuyum Local Government, Hon. Bala Alhaji Zarumai, said the party has recorded tremendous progress in Bukkuyum in terms of gaining public support.
According to him, the people of Bukkuyum are eager to see the PDP commence full campaigns as they are ready to mobilize for the party ahead of 2027.
He noted that despite Bukkuyum being one of the areas most affected by insecurity, the PDP has continued to enjoy growing acceptance. He disclosed that in recent days alone, the party has received over 280 defectors from other political parties who have returned to the PDP.
The Chairman said for communities that are difficult to access due to security challenges, the party has been engaging with residents through telephone conversations and other communication channels, and that feedback shows that about 80 percent of the people in the area are now supporting the PDP.
Similarly, the PDP Chairman of Anka Local Government, Hon. Sanusi Ibrahim Anka, said the level of support the PDP is currently enjoying in Anka is unprecedented.
He attributed the surge to the people’s loyalty to prominent political leaders in the area and the confidence they have in the party’s governorship candidate, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye, whom he described as a credible and competent leader.
Chairman Anka highlighted some of the plans Engr. Bakauye has for the people of the state, especially for youths, civil servants, traders and farmers, saying the candidate has a clear blueprint for addressing their needs if elected.
Also speaking, the PDP candidate for Tsafe East State Constituency, Hon. Abdullahi Tambai Tsafe, said he joined politics to support vulnerable groups, particularly orphans who lost their parents and those displaced by insecurity.
He criticized the current member representing Tsafe East, saying he cannot point to a single empowerment programme he has initiated to support the less privileged in the constituency.
According to him, there are many educated youths in the area without jobs, many talented traders without capital, and Persons With Disabilities, PWDs, who have received no attention from both the current assembly member and the state government.
He expressed confidence that Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye, if elected governor, would give priority attention to all these challenges, describing him as a leader who will not abandon the people after winning election.
He also faulted the present and past administrations in the state, saying they failed to adopt the right approaches to solve Zamfara’s lingering problems.
"In the past, they blamed the failure of the ruling government when they were seeking votes, but after getting power, they ended up following the same path of those they accused of failure," he said.
He added that the PDP has its own strategies to address the challenges facing the state but that it would not reveal them now for strategic reasons.
He recalled that during the time Engr. Bakauye served as a member representing Gusau and Tsafe in the National Assembly, he assisted many people, secured jobs for youths and supported communities in different sectors.
The PDP Chairman of Bukkuyum added that the party has many programmes lined up for the people but would not disclose them yet, assuring that when full campaigns commence, the people will see them with their own eyes.
On his part, the PDP Chairman of Anka said they have gone round every nook and cranny of the local government to propagate the ideals of the PDP and that the message has been well received, adding that people are now anxiously waiting for full-blown campaigns to start.
The programme ended with a phone-in session where many callers expressed support for the PDP and prayed for the success of the party and its governorship candidate, Engr. Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye, ahead of the 2027 elections.
