Author: Gabby

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.

Former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has publicly disputed the results of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential primaries, citing extensive voter suppression and misconduct.

In a statement shared via his X account on Tuesday, Amaechi labeled the declared results as fabricated, insisting earlier that he would only respect a process that was transparent and fair.

He emphasized, “A process that betrays the very principles the ADC promised to uphold will never earn my acceptance.”

Amaechi claimed that roughly 80 percent of party members nationwide were barred from casting their ballots. “If four out of five members couldn’t vote, how can anyone expect me to endorse such an outcome?” he questioned.

The former Rivers State governor accused the ADC of replicating the same malpractices it had condemned in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

According to him, it is hypocritical for the ADC to attack vote buying, rigging, and result manipulation by others while engaging in identical acts during its own internal election.

Amaechi concluded that the situation is unacceptable and contradicts the founding ideals of the party.

In a significant political development, former Cross River State Governor Donald Duke has clinched the presidential nomination of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP) for the 2027 general elections. The outcome was announced at the party’s headquarters in Abuja following a keenly contested primary election on Tuesday.

Three aspirants vied for the party’s ticket, but Duke emerged victorious with a commanding lead. According to Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, the PRP National Chairman, Duke amassed a total of 6,499 votes. His closest competitor, Kingsley Yakubu—who ran a vigorous campaign emphasizing youth inclusion and economic revitalization—secured 2,699 votes. Meanwhile, Dr. Nnaoke Ufere, an academic and policy expert, finished third with 784 votes.

Baba-Ahmed lauded the primary as peaceful, transparent, and conducted without any bias. He advised any dissatisfied aspirant to direct their grievances to the party’s Appeal Committee for a thorough review in accordance with established party procedures.

This victory positions Duke as a key contender for the presidency in 2027, as the political landscape continues to evolve with major party nominations underway.

Businessman and political figure Isaac Fayose has raised serious allegations against the All Progressives Congress (APC), claiming the party manipulated its own primary elections while officials from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) were present. In a video posted on his Facebook page, Fayose expressed outrage over the process that saw President Bola Tinubu emerge as the APC candidate for the 2027 elections.

According to reports, Tinubu secured over 10.9 million votes in the primary, while his opponent Stanley Osifo managed only 16,503 votes. However, viral clips on social media show what appears to be vote inflation, with counting allegedly jumping from hundreds to thousands without proper verification.

Fayose lamented that INEC’s ratification of such a flawed process signals that the 2027 general elections will also be compromised. He stated, “They claim ten million people voted for Tinubu, but you can see how they counted from hundreds and leaped to thousands. INEC officials were there. Yet some people expect free and fair elections in 2027. They are already rigging.”

The businessman warned that the commission’s approval of the APC primary confirms that Nigerians should not anticipate credible elections in 2027. He added, “For INEC to validate this primary, they’ve shown how 2027 will unfold. They plan to declare ten million votes for our worst president.”

The controversy adds to growing concerns about electoral integrity in Nigeria, with several stakeholders calling for reforms.