By Zainab Imam, Abuja Network News
A recent press statement released under the name “Concerned APC Supporters in Kebbi State,” signed by one Hon. Hamidu Musa Koko, is an embarrassing display of confusion, contradiction, and political cowardice. In their frantic bid to discredit a report published by Abuja Network News, the APC in Kebbi launched a series of wild, baseless attacks not only on the news platform, but also on Dr. Sule-Iko Sadeeq S. Sami, the Marafan Zuru, a respected traditional title holder, philanthropist, and private sector veteran. Founding member of the APC as well as respected public affairs analyst who left the APC in protest of bad governance. Sadly for them, in trying to cover up the real story — the defection of a senior aide to the Governor to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) — they ended up exposing just how fractured and insecure the ruling party has become in Kebbi State.
Let us set the record straight. First, the Abuja Network News report that triggered APC’s meltdown was factual, straightforward, and built on verifiable developments. The defection of a key figure close to the Governor is no longer secret in Kebbi’s political circles — it is a known reality.
Instead of responding with maturity, the APC opted to spew insults, fabricate lies, and deny the undeniable. Ironically, in the same statement where they claim “no aide has defected,” they admit that “any individual has a democratic right to associate differently,” thereby confirming what they are desperately trying to hide.
Their attack on Abuja Network News only proves their panic. The platform has existed since December 2022 and fully incorporated in 2023 has earned a reputation for credible reporting in Nigeria. Calling it a “hurriedly crafted outfit” is not just false — it is laughably lazy. If the APC media handlers had done their homework, they would have known this. Instead, they exposed their fear of truth and lack of professionalism in one stroke.
But perhaps most disgraceful is the unprovoked and ridiculous attack on Dr. Sule-Iko Sadeeq S. Sami, the Marafan Zuru. He was not the subject of the report. He did not defect. He did not make any official statement. Yet the APC, blinded by rage, chose to insult his name, calling him a “serial blackmailer” and “shadow,” showing a total disregard for facts and cultural decorum. For the record, Marafan Zuru is a revered traditional title in Kebbi State, held by a man who has spent over 25 years in the private sector, built an impressive career, and maintained a long-standing tradition of philanthropy and community service. Dr. Sule-Iko is also a past employer of some of the publishers circulating the falsehoods against him — a clear sign that this is more about vendettas and political fear than truth.
The bigger story here, however, is the reality the APC is trying to run from. The party in Kebbi is sinking. The defection of the Governor’s aide is just one in a string of quiet exits happening behind the scenes. Several commissioners and advisers are set to leave. Party structures in Zuru, Fakai, and Danko-Wasagu are collapsing. The youth wing is inactive. Grassroots support has evaporated. Internal polling, even by APC-aligned groups, puts the Governor’s approval rating below 40%. The so-called victory in 2023 is still seen as a product of court technicalities and not public confidence. While the ADC and PDP are organizing and expanding, APC is busy fighting shadows and insulting respected sons of the state.
Attacking media and traditional titleholders will not stop the hemorrhaging. Denial will not rebuild support. Kebbi citizens are watching — and they are not fooled. The truth is simple: APC is crumbling, and their anger shows they know it. The real story was never about Abuja Network News or Marafan Zuru. The real story is about a party in freefall, desperate to silence the truth and distract the people.
But it’s too late. The damage is done. And more defections are coming.
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