SDP presidential candidate Adewole Adebayo has accused Senator Abdulaziz Yari, Director General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 campaign council, of funding terrorism in Zamfara State to support illegal gold mining and generate money for the All Progressives Congress and Tinubu’s re election campaign.
Adebayo made the allegation while speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on Tuesday.
The Social Democratic Party candidate questioned the commitment of the Tinubu administration to fighting terrorism, arguing that people he alleged were connected to terrorism were close to the government and were now playing important political roles.
Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State and serving senator representing Zamfara West, was recently appointed Director General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election. President Tinubu chairs the council, while Vice President Kashim Shettima and APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda are among its senior officials.
Adebayo alleged that terrorism and violent attacks in Zamfara were being used to drive residents away from communities rich in natural resources, particularly gold.
According to the SDP candidate, the displacement of residents creates room for illegal miners to operate with less interference and gain access to mineral deposits.
He further alleged that proceeds from the gold trade were being used to support political activities, including the APC and Tinubu’s campaign for a second term.
The allegations come against the background of years of deadly violence in Zamfara, where bandit attacks, kidnappings and killings have forced residents from farming communities and disrupted economic activity. Recent military operations in the state have also targeted suspected gun runners and terrorist logistics networks.
Adebayo argued that the government should pay closer attention to the relationship between illegal mining and insecurity. He proposed greater accountability for mining operators, saying miners should be held responsible for violence occurring within areas where they operate.
The SDP candidate said authorities should properly identify mining sites and the people operating them so that those involved in the sector can be held accountable when violence occurs around their operations.
Yari’s appointment as Tinubu’s campaign director has already drawn political attention because of his long history in Zamfara politics and his influence in the North West.
The Zamfara State Government welcomed his appointment, describing it as a major political development and expressing confidence that Yari would help strengthen Tinubu’s campaign ahead of the 2027 election.
Yari has also publicly accepted the campaign role and thanked Tinubu for the confidence placed in him.
As of the latest reports available, Yari had not publicly responded to Adebayo’s specific allegations.
The claims are likely to intensify political debate over the security crisis in Zamfara, illegal gold mining and the role of political figures ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
