Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi is a Nigerian politician who served as the Governor of Zamfara State from 2007 to 2011. He initially secured the governorship on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).
However, his tenure was notably marked by a controversial defection to the rival Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in 2008, a move that generated significant political discourse at the time.
Prior to becoming governor, Shinkafi also held the position of Deputy Governor of Zamfara State under Ahmad Sani Yerima.
His political trajectory highlights the fluidity of party allegiances in Nigerian politics and his rise to the highest executive office in Zamfara State.



