A prominent aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial District, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, has initiated legal proceedings against the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at the Federal High Court in Gusau. The lawsuit challenges the outcome of the party’s primary election in the district, citing procedural violations.
Shinkafi, who previously belonged to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), accuses the APC of imposing a candidate without proper consensus among cleared aspirants. He asserts that there was no written agreement indicating his voluntary withdrawal from the race, and he did not support any aspirant as a consensus choice.
The former governorship candidate contends that the APC failed to adhere to due process before declaring Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as the consensus candidate for Zamfara North on May 19, 2026. He argues that the party’s actions demonstrate a blatant disregard for democratic principles and internal party democracy.
Shinkafi warns that without decisive measures to curb such legal abuses, society risks descending into chaos, lawlessness, and dictatorship. He emphasizes that ongoing violations by those in authority could irreparably harm societal progress and stability.
Represented by counsel Bello Idris Galadi Esq., Shinkafi filed Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/6/2026 on May 25, 2026. The suit seeks judicial interpretation of constitutional and statutory provisions, raising key questions about compliance with the Electoral Act 2026.
The questions include whether the APC was obligated to conduct primaries under Section 84(1) of the Electoral Act; whether the party was duty-bound to nominate candidates through direct primaries or consensus as per Section 84(2); and whether the party’s actions violated internal democracy under Section 86. Additionally, the suit examines if the APC satisfied legal requirements outlined in Sections 86 and 87, Article 20.4(1) of the party’s constitution, and its guidelines for primaries.
Shinkafi seeks several declarations and orders: a declaration that due process was not followed; a declaration that the actions of the APC and Senator Ya’u are inconsistent with internal democracy; a declaration that no valid consensus or primary occurred; an order setting aside the purported primary; an order for a fresh primary election involving all cleared aspirants; an order directing the defendants to uphold internal democracy and rule of law; and a perpetual injunction restraining further breaches.
In a 21-paragraph affidavit, Shinkafi states that he purchased and submitted nomination forms for the APC, paying N20 million on April 30, 2026. He was cleared alongside two other aspirants: Hanafi Musa Moriki and Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u. Shinkafi earlier petitioned the APC National Chairman and the Senate Primary Election Committee against the alleged imposition of a candidate.
The hearing date remains unset, but the case could significantly impact the political landscape in Zamfara State ahead of the 2027 general elections.