The Zamfara Central Senator in the 7th and 8th National Assembly, Kabir Marafa, has defected from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), two weeks after he asked his followers to embark on massive registration to join the ADC.
Marafa, who was Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) in the 8th Senate, cited dissatisfaction with developments in the All Progressives Congress (APC), worsening insecurity in the North-West, and the need for a stable political platform ahead of future elections.
Marafa, who was formally received into the NDC in Abuja, on Tuesday, said his decision followed extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the country’s political landscape.
He maintained that his move was voluntary and driven by conviction rather than compulsion.
He was welcomed to the party by the National Chairman of the NDC, Senator Moses Cleopas; the National Leader of the Party, Senator Seriake Dickson and others in Abuja.
“We gave the APC enough time and committed ourselves fully, but the outcome was not commensurate with our efforts.
“Beyond that, the level of insecurity in Zamfara and across the North-West remains deeply troubling. There is an urgent need for a platform that prioritiseseffective governance and the safety of citizens,” Marafa said.
He explained that he and his political associates evaluated several parties before settling for the NDC, which he described as stable and free of internal disputes and legal encumbrances.
“We examined all the options and concluded that this platform offers a credible opportunity to pursue our political objectives and contribute meaningfully to national development,” he added.
Welcoming the former lawmaker, the NDC leadership described his defection as a significant boost to the party’s growing national profile, noting that his political experience and influence would strengthen its structures, particularly in Zamfara State.
Cleopas, said Marafa’s entry underscored the NDC’s expanding appeal and its ambition to provide an alternative platform for Nigerians seeking responsive governance.
Also speaking, Dickson said Marafa’s decision reflected alignment with the NDC’s core values and principles.
“This is not a matter of convenience but of shared conviction. The party represents a platform for service, inclusiveness, and national renewal,” he said.
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