Zamfara APC Primaries: Shinkafi Accuses INEC of Disobeying Court Judgment
By Yusuf Gwandu
A claimant in the recent judgment of the Federal High Court in Gusau concerning the All Progressives Congress (APC) Zamfara North Senatorial primary election, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi has accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of allegedly disobeying a court order directing the conduct of a fresh primary election within two weeks.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued by S.Y. Aliyu, Esq., on behalf of Dr. Shinkafi.
According to the statement, the Federal High Court held that due process was not followed by the defendants — the APC, INEC and Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u — in conducting the purported primary election for the Zamfara North Senatorial District on May 19, 2026.
The court consequently declared the purported primary election null and void and ordered the conduct of a fresh primary election in accordance with the relevant provisions of the law and the APC’s guidelines.
Dr. Shinkafi alleged that, despite the judgment, the name of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u Kaura remained published by INEC as the winner of the senatorial primary.
The statement therefore urged INEC to immediately withdraw and suspend the publication of Senator Ya’u’s name as the APC candidate, pending either the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts or the conduct of the fresh primary election ordered by the court.
It further stated that the court had granted an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, privies and assigns from committing further breaches of the relevant constitutional and statutory provisions.
According to the statement, the court also directed INEC to accept and publish the name of any candidate who validly emerges from the fresh primary election ordered for the Zamfara North Senatorial District.
The statement described any alleged non-compliance with the judgment as a matter that could undermine public confidence in the electoral process, particularly because INEC was a party to the case and was represented during the proceedings.
It urged the electoral commission to uphold the rule of law and safeguard the credibility and integrity of the electoral and political-party nomination processes.
The statement cited the Federal High Court judgment in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/6/2026, before Justice Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court, Gusau Judicial Division, delivered on August 31, 2026.
It said the court set aside the purported APC primary election conducted on May 19, 2026, and held that there was no valid candidate from the exercise due to alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.
