Bashir Zakariya, a prominent figure in the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Kaduna State, has died in a fatal car accident along the Zaria–Kaduna expressway. The crash, which occurred on Thursday, July 3, 2025, claimed the life of the Zone One senatorial district chairman instantly, according to party officials.
Zakariya was reportedly on his way from Zaria to Kaduna for a scheduled political engagement when his vehicle collided with a heavy-duty truck near the Rigachikun axis of the highway. Emergency responders arrived late, and the chieftain was confirmed dead on the scene.
The Kaduna SDP chapter, in a statement released Thursday evening by its Publicity Secretary, described Zakariya as a man of “rare courage, unwavering integrity, and passionate commitment to justice and democratic ideals.” The party said he dedicated his life to building a stronger SDP in the North-West, even amid rising political tension.
His death has sent shockwaves through the party’s national ranks, with leaders from various zones pouring in tributes. Colleagues noted Zakariya’s influence in expanding SDP’s grassroots presence in rural Kaduna, and his role in organizing the last senatorial strategy summit held in April 2025.
Political analysts also recall his bold stance against vote-buying and electoral fraud during the 2023 elections, where he mobilized young SDP members for clean campaigns across Giwa, Sabon Gari, and Makarfi LGAs.
In the wake of the tragedy, the Kaduna State SDP has called on both federal and state governments to take urgent steps to rehabilitate the increasingly dangerous Zaria–Kaduna highway, which has become a notorious black spot for fatal crashes. They demand better road signage, stricter speed monitoring, and increased emergency response coverage.
Zakariya is survived by a wife and four children. Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced in the coming days by the family and party leadership.
