By Lanre Oloyede
A political advocacy group, The Observatory, has alleged that former Zamfara State Governor and Senator representing Zamfara West, Abdul’aziz Yari, is being subjected to sustained political attacks because of his close relationship with President Bola Tinubu and support for the President’s second-term ambition.
The group claimed that recent allegations linking Yari to banditry and a multi-billion naira gold smuggling case were part of a coordinated campaign to tarnish his image and weaken his political influence ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement issued on Thursday by its Director of Public Affairs, Ahmed Amidu, the group described Yari as one of President Tinubu’s strongest political allies in the North, insisting that his growing influence had unsettled political opponents.
According to Amidu, Yari’s loyalty to Tinubu has made him a target of blackmail by individuals seeking to undermine the President’s support base in the region.
“Yari is at the forefront of those genuinely supporting President Tinubu’s agenda. Those uncomfortable with that relationship are behind the relentless attempts to discredit him,” Amidu said.
He argued that President Tinubu was fully aware of what he described as attempts to malign the senator and would not be swayed by politically motivated allegations.
The group maintained that Yari remains a critical figure in mobilising northern support for the President’s re-election, especially at a time when sections of the region are expressing reservations about Tinubu’s second-term bid.
The Observatory also dismissed allegations linking Yari to gold bars reportedly worth about ₦4 billion seized by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport. It noted that although Yari had been accused in some quarters of having links to the seized consignment allegedly destined for Saudi Arabia, the senator had denied any involvement.
The group further argued that the EFCC had not officially connected Yari to the seizure, insisting that efforts to associate him with the case were driven by political motives rather than evidence.
Amidu also rejected previous allegations accusing the former governor of sponsoring banditry and terrorism in Zamfara State, describing them as baseless and part of a wider campaign to destroy his reputation.
“What we are witnessing is an attempt to give a dog a bad name in order to hang it. Somebody is clearly uncomfortable with Yari’s towering political profile and proximity to the nation’s power circle,” he said.
He added that Yari’s political relevance stems from his eight-year tenure as governor of Zamfara State and his continued influence within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that he remains a key player in national politics despite repeated attacks by his critics.
The group urged the public to disregard what it described as unsubstantiated allegations against the senator, maintaining that they were designed to diminish his political standing rather than expose any wrongdoing.
