By Nkechi Eze
Barely weeks after pitching his political tent with the African Democratic Congress, former Zamfara Central senator Kabir Marafa, has again switched allegiance, this time to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in what appears to be a calculated move to secure a viable platform ahead of looming electoral timelines.
The former lawmaker, who represented Zamfara Central in the National Assembly from 2011 to 2019, formally joined the NDC on Tuesday in Abuja, where he was received by the party’s National Leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, alongside a sizeable delegation of supporters.
Marafa’s latest defection underscores growing political realignments as actors reposition ahead of the next general election cycle, particularly amid legal uncertainties affecting some emerging parties. His exit from the ADC comes less than a month after he joined the party on April 8, 2026, a move that had followed his earlier resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in August 2025 after prolonged internal disagreements within the Zamfara chapter.
Explaining his decision, Marafa cited unresolved litigations within the ADC and the narrowing window before party nomination deadlines as key factors that made his continued stay untenable. He indicated that the risk of protracted court battles could jeopardise his eligibility to contest, prompting consultations with legal advisers and political associates, who recommended an immediate shift to a more stable platform.
Political observers note that the development reflects a broader trend of strategic defections driven less by ideology and more by electoral pragmatism, as politicians seek parties with clearer structures, fewer legal encumbrances, and stronger national spread.
Welcoming the former senator, Dickson described Marafa as a politically significant figure whose influence in the North-West would bolster the NDC’s grassroots reach and electoral prospects. He stressed that the party remains committed to inclusive governance, national cohesion, and addressing critical issues such as insecurity and economic hardship.
Also speaking, the party’s National Chairman, Senator Moses Cleopas, reiterated the NDC’s positioning as a people-focused alternative, emphasizing its commitment to empowering marginalized groups, including women, youths, and persons with disabilities, while promoting service-driven leadership.
Marafa’s defection is expected to have ripple effects in Zamfara politics, where shifting alliances continue to reshape the balance of power ahead of forthcoming elections.
