Opposition parties in Zamfara State are expressing optimism ahead of the 2027 general elections despite the dominance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and recent political realignments in the state.

Political developments since the 2023 elections have significantly altered the state’s political landscape, with several key figures and lawmakers defecting between parties, reshaping the balance of power ahead of the next polls.

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which previously staged a comeback in 2023 by winning the governorship and securing a majority in the state House of Assembly, has faced setbacks following the defection of Governor Dauda Lawal and other elected officials to the APC.

Despite these losses, the PDP insists it remains competitive in the state, with internal mobilisation efforts and renewed grassroots engagement across local communities.

The party continues to receive backing from influential political actors, including former National Security Adviser Aliyu Mohammed Gusau, who has historically played a significant role in its electoral campaigns in Zamfara.

Analysts say the PDP is attempting to rebuild its structure through renewed participation by aspirants and continued presence of experienced political actors such as former House of Representatives member Ibrahim Shehu Bakauye, who remains active in the party’s gubernatorial race calculations.

Meanwhile, emerging parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) are also positioning themselves as alternatives, attracting defectors from both the APC and PDP.

A key development in the state’s evolving political scene is the movement of former senator Kabiru Marafa, who recently shifted political alignment and is now playing a leading role in the NDC’s structure in Zamfara.

Marafa has since emerged as the party’s governorship candidate unopposed, following the conduct of ward and local government congresses, and is expected to leverage his grassroots influence and political network built over years of public service.

Observers note that zoning considerations may also play a decisive role in the 2027 race, with political dominance historically rotating between Zamfara’s senatorial zones and influencing voter alignment.

While the ruling APC currently holds institutional advantage in the state, opposition parties maintain that ongoing mobilisation efforts and voter outreach could still reshape the electoral outcome in the coming cycle.