Court Nullifies Zamfara APC Senatorial Primary Election, Orders Fresh Election In 14 Days

Judge faults party for violating own constitution, INEC guidelines in May 19 poll_

The Federal High Court in Gusau has voided the All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial primaries for Zamfara North, ruling that the party brazenly violated its own constitution, INEC guidelines, and the Electoral Act 2022.

In a judgement delivered on Monday, Justice Hassan Dikko ordered the APC to conduct fresh primaries for the district within 14 days.

The suit was filed by Dr. Abdullahi Shinkafi, an APC chieftain, challenging the outcome of the May 19 direct primaries that produced Senator Sahabi Ya’u as the party’s candidate.

Joined in the suit were INEC, the APC, and Sen. Ya’u.

—COURT: PROCESS WAS FLAWED FROM THE START—

Justice Dikko held that evidence before the court showed the APC failed to adhere to due process in nominating its candidate for Zamfara North.

“The court, based on evidence before it, ruled in favour of the plaintiff,” Dikko said. “The APC did not follow its Constitution and INEC guidelines in the Zamfara North Senatorial primary election.”

The judgement followed consideration of affidavits, counter-affidavits, preliminary objections, and final addresses by counsel to all parties.

With the nullification, the May 19 exercise is now legally void, clearing the way for a fresh contest.

—REACTIONS: “VICTORY FOR DEMOCRACY:—–

Counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, described the ruling as a win for internal democracy. He said Shinkafi was ready to participate in the fresh primaries within the 14-day window ordered by the court.

Counsel to Senator Ya’u, Musbau Salauddeen, said his client would be consulting but noted the judgement “still gave the senator a window to participate in the fresh primaries.”

Speaking after the ruling, Shinkafi hailed the judgement as “a victory for democracy and the rule of law.”

He urged the APC national leadership to ensure the fresh primary is conducted “in strict compliance with the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.”

“The judiciary has again proven to be the last hope of the common man,” Shinkafi said. “I call on the APC and other political parties to strictly adhere to their constitutions and electoral laws when conducting primaries. Aggrieved members should seek legal redress rather than resort to violence.”

—WHAT IT MEANS FOR ZAMFARA POLITICS—

The ruling throws the Zamfara North APC ticket open barely months to the 2027 elections. It also reinforces a growing pattern of courts sanctioning parties for disregarding their own guidelines during candidate selection.

With the 14-day deadline, the APC National Working Committee now has less than two weeks to organise a fresh, legally compliant primary or risk having no candidate for the senatorial district.