PDP Demands Investigation into Alleged Attack on Zamfara Lawmaker, Unpacking a Political Flashpoint
By Shuaib Sadiq | Gusau, Dec. 20, 2025
A political event in Zamfara State has escalated into a major controversy, with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) calling for a formal probe into an alleged assault on one of its legislators. The incident, which occurred during a gubernatorial visit, has exposed deep-seated political tensions and competing narratives about governance and representation in the state.
The Core Incident: An Attack Amidst a Gubernatorial Visit
The Zamfara State chapter of the PDP has officially reported an alleged attack on Hon. Kabiru Dangulbi, the member representing Maru South Constituency, to security agencies. According to the party’s Publicity Secretary, Mr. Halliru Andi, the lawmaker was targeted during Governor Dauda Lawal’s recent visit to the Dansadau Emirate in Maru Local Government Area.
Initial reports from the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) provide a contrasting grassroots perspective, suggesting the lawmaker was confronted by constituents who accused him of abandoning them for over two years since his election. Security agents reportedly intervened, saving the legislator who sustained minor injuries.
The PDP’s Narrative: A Calculated Political Assault
In its official statement, the PDP frames the event not as spontaneous constituent anger, but as a premeditated political attack. The party alleges “credible information” indicates the incident was “orchestrated by desperate opposition elements.” Their stated goal, according to the PDP, was twofold: to disgrace Hon. Dangulbi and to tarnish the image of Governor Dauda Lawal.
The PDP vehemently condemned the attack and urged security forces to “unmask those behind the attack and prosecute them.” This call for investigation shifts the focus from a potential breakdown in constituent relations to a matter of criminal political violence, setting the stage for a legal and partisan battle.
Counter-Narrative from the APC: A Symptom of Failed Governance
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara offers a starkly different interpretation. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Malam Yusuf Idris, the APC described the governor’s visit as “married by the attack.” They portrayed the lawmaker’s ordeal—allegedly being “bathed with dirty sands” and running for safety—as a direct result of a “failed government” that has not fulfilled its campaign promises.
The APC further used the moment to highlight its own political momentum, claiming to continuously receive defectors from the PDP, including recent executives from Maradun Local Government. This transforms the incident from a local security issue into a broader referendum on the PDP’s performance in power.
The Governor’s Visit: A Focal Point of Contradiction
At the heart of the conflicting stories is the nature of Governor Lawal’s visit itself. The PDP paints a picture of historic success and popular acclaim:
- Unprecedented Reception: The party claims the governor received a “rousing reception” along the 107km route from Gusau to Dansadau, with communities coming out “en masse,” causing the journey to take several hours.
- Traditional Endorsement: The Emir of Dansadau conferred the title “Garkuwan Dansadau” (Protector of Dansadau) on Governor Lawal, which the PDP cites as a testament to his acceptance.
- Breaking Neglect: The PDP framed the visit as a corrective to long-standing abandonment, noting that Dansadau had been neglected by successive administrations. The governor used the visit to flag off the critical Gusau–Magami–Dansadau Road project.
The APC’s narrative directly challenges this, suggesting the attack on the PDP lawmaker reveals a deeper undercurrent of popular dissatisfaction that the celebratory imagery cannot mask.
Broader Context: Zamfara’s Volatile Political Landscape
This incident cannot be viewed in isolation. Zamfara State has grappled with severe security challenges, particularly banditry and kidnapping, which have devastated rural communities like those in Maru LGA. In this context, a lawmaker being accused of abandonment touches a raw nerve. Constituents in insecure areas often feel isolated and demand hyper-visible representation and advocacy for security resources.
Furthermore, Nigerian politics at the state level is often characterized by intense rivalry between the ruling party and the opposition, where any public event becomes a battleground for narrative control. The swift exchange of press statements—the APC’s on Friday and the PDP’s rebuttal on Saturday—demonstrates how quickly isolated events are weaponized for political gain.
What Comes Next: Investigation and Political Fallout
The formal investigation requested by the PDP will be the next critical phase. Its findings—or the perceived lack thereof—will fuel the political discourse. Key questions include:
- Will security agencies identify specific perpetrators, and if so, what will their alleged affiliations be?
- How will the constituents of Maru South reconcile their alleged grievances with their representative’s claim of being a victim of political sabotage?
- Will this event become a rallying point for further political defections, as the APC hopes, or will it consolidate PDP support against a perceived common enemy?
Ultimately, the alleged attack on Hon. Kabiru Dangulbi is more than a local news item. It is a microcosm of the struggles over representation, the bitterness of political opposition, and the challenge of governance in a complex and tense environment. The competing stories from the PDP and APC offer two versions of reality in Zamfara: one of a beloved governor breaking barriers, and another of a failing administration facing the consequences of its neglect. The truth, as is often the case, likely resides in the fraught space between.
(Source: NAN) | Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani
