A former Senator representing Zamfara Central, Kabiru Garba Marafa, has pledged to bring banditry and other security challenges in Zamfara State under control within two years if elected governor in 2027.
Marafa, who is contesting the governorship election on the platform of the National Democratic Congress, said his administration would make the restoration of security a major priority.
Speaking ahead of the election, the former lawmaker said the persistent attacks and criminal activities in the state could be tackled if the government showed sufficient commitment and adopted a more determined approach.
He declared that he would accept personal responsibility for delivering on his security promise, saying he would leave office if he failed to achieve the target.
“I will either end banditry in my first tenure in office or resign,” Marafa stated.
The governorship hopeful said his previous experience as a state commissioner and federal lawmaker had exposed him to the challenges confronting Zamfara and equipped him with knowledge of the issues affecting the state.
“I was a commissioner in the state and Senator at the National Assembly for many years. As such, I am conversant with the problems affecting my state, as well as the country in general,” he said.
Marafa said that, if elected, his government would take the fight against bandits to their hideouts while strengthening efforts to protect communities across the state.
“If elected as governor in the coming general elections, within a period of two years, I will end insecurity in the state by the grace of God or vacate my office,” he added.
He also promised to focus on other sectors of the state’s economy, particularly areas with direct consequences for the welfare of residents.
According to him, women and young people would receive particular attention under his proposed administration, given their significant population and role in the development of the state.
Marafa therefore appealed to Zamfara residents to support his candidacy and other NDC candidates during the 2027 elections.
He pledged that his administration would pursue policies designed to improve living conditions and ensure that women, children and youths benefit from government programmes.
“As you are aware, women, children and youths constitute a higher percentage of the population of every nation. As such, I will do everything humanly possible to ensure that they reap from the dividends of democracy under my administration if selected as Zamfara State governor,” he said.
