Chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former scribe of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, says his motivation for joining the race for the national chairmanship of the ruling All Progressives Congress is the desire to restore and preserve the values of the party, as well as ensure that the quest for unity of the party, as articulated by the founding fathers is pursued and achieved in a sustainable way.
The Zamfara State born political stalwart and social crusader who confirmed his declaration to our correspondent in Abuja on Saturday, said he will work for the growth and unity of the APC, if elected as National Chairman of the party, adding that he will prioritize the development of democracy while promoting the interest of the nation.
He expressed concern that ‘internal wrangling within the ruling party made it to lose elections in Bauchi, Adamawa, Rivers, Imo, Oyo, Edo and Zamfara States among others, apart from many legislative seats it lost at the States and National Assembly that were dashed away as results of poor handling of the party’s 2018 primaries.’
Shinkafi said he will bring on board his varied experiences in political matters to strengthen the unity of the APC, and ensure that the lofty ideologies it embodies are established, stating that the APC has a lot more to deliver to Nigerians.
The multi-sector industrialist and accomplished businessman said he would ‘continue with the great job done by the Acting National Chairman of the APC, His Excellency, Malam Mai Bunu in re-organizing and making the party the greatest party in Nigeria,’ stating that he will ‘ensure that the values that birthed the party in 2014 are preserved.’
He said: ‘After wide consultations and discussions with my family, friends and political associates, I have decided to heed the call to contest for the office of the National Chairman of our great party – the All Progressives Congress (APC).
‘With my wide experience as the immediate past National Secretary of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the immediate past Secretary of the Board of Trustees of APGA, I believe that I have what it takes to run the affairs of the APC.
Shinkafi, who is a frontline figure in the quest for egalitarian and purposeful leadership, said: ‘I would also ensure that the era of impunity and imposition of candidates against the will of the party’s teaming followers is gone,’ adding that this is the time to make decisions that will serve the interest of the general members even at ward levels.
Discussing the importance of putting in place, a leadership that understands the importance of people-oriented leadership in the APC, he said: ‘In its bid to retain power in the forthcoming general elections in Nigeria in 2023, there is urgent need for the party to look beyond personal interest to set its house in order by first of all ensuring that only a credible hand is ushered in to lead the party as the next National Chairman.
‘The party came with sound policies and programmes that would have salvaged the country, but the party’s dream was short-lived because the forces that are not progressives joined the party through the backdoors only to win elections.
Shinkafi said the party ‘urgently needs a leader who commands respect among his contemporaries, a man whose mind is bounded by reconciliatory traits and elder statesman who has paid the price, for APC to survive against his personal interest.’
He explained that the emergence of the ruling party from many political parties and subsequent defections at the aftermath of 2015 elections has been identified as some of the reasons why the party failed to implement its initial manifesto to get Nigeria on the right track again.
According to Shinkafi, the APC has very sound policies and programmes that are practicable, aimed at changing the fortunes of Nigerians, but can only be sustained if individuals who share the party’s traits are allowed to lead as the National Chairman.
Born on 20th February, 1970 in Shinkafi Local Government Area of Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi attended the Township Primary School, Shinkafi, and proceeded to Government Secondary School, Gwadabawa, where he obtained the West African Examination Council (WAEC) certificate in 1988.
He thereafter proceeded to Polytechnic of Sokoto, Birnin Kebbi, from 1988 to 1991 where he obtained the National Diploma in Business Administration and the Plateau School of Accountancy and Management Sciences Studies from 1995 to 1999, where he was awarded the Higher National Diploma in Accounting. From 2006 to 2007 he was at the Usman Dan Fodio University Sokoto, where he bagged the Post Graduate Diploma in Education.
In 2016, he attended the Nassarawa State University, Keffi, where he bagged a Masters Degree in Public Sector Accounting (Public Financial Management).
His working experience spanned various sectors starting his first job as an Accountant in Training at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sokoto, Sokoto State. He was an Internal Auditor at the Sokoto Engineering and Construction Company (SECCO), Sokoto State.
As a result of hard work and dedication, he rose to become an Acting Deputy Director, Internal Audit, Sokoto State Hotels Service Management Board.
Shinkafi was later promoted to the position of the Head of Audit Unit, Sokoto State Teachers Services Board, from where he was made the Acting Deputy Director of Internal Audit at the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gusau, Zamfara State.
He had a stint at the Ministry of Finance Budget and Economic Planning, Gusau, Zamfara State, from where he voluntarily withdrew his service from the Zamfara State Civil Service in 2001.
He joined politics and ran for the Chairmanship of Shinkafi Local Government Council under the All Peoples Party (APP). He also contested the Chairmanship of Shinkafi Local Government Chairmanship under the platform of People Democratic Party (PDP).
He was the State Secretary of United Nigeria People Party (UNPP) and later the State Chairman All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Shinkafi contested as the Zamfara State Governorship Candidate under the platform of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in 2007, 2011, 2015 and 2019.
He was a member of the National Caucus of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA, Member National Executive Committee (NEC) said f APGA, he was the National Secretary, All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Secretary Board of Trustee All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Shinkafi was a Member of the Zamfara State Committee for Finding Lasting Solution to Armed Banditry constituted by the Sokoto State government in 2019.
He also served as Member, Zamfara State 25th Years Silver Jubilee Anniversary.
He is the Chairman, Anti-Illegal Mining, appointed by Dr. Bello Muhammad-led government of Sokoto State in 2021.
Shinkafi was also a delegate of the National Conference in 2014, and attended the first All Party Summit Organized by House Committee on Inter/Intra Party Relations 2005.
He was awarded an Honorary Doctors of Management Science, Honoris Causa in Investment Analysis in 2017, an Honorary Doctorate Degree in International Relationship and Diplomacy by Atlas University, Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania in 2009.
He also bagged an Award of Excellence by Zenith International News Magazine 2009.
Shinkafi was named ‘Young Ambassador of Peace’ by the Universal Peace Federation and Youth Federation for World Peace in 2010 by the National Drug and Law Empowerment Agency 2011.
Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi holds various traditional titles from across the federation.
Shinkafi is also the Executive Director, Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development, and has demonstrated the ability to recognize the strengths of various employees and delegate tasks accordingly.
He has as his watch word, honesty, integrity, accountability, prudent management of resources, creativity, discipline, objectivity and flexibility.
