Court Nullifies Zamfara North APC Senatorial Primary

A Federal High Court sitting in Gusau has nullified the 19th May, 2026, All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election in Zamfara North Senatorial District.

The court, in a virtual judgment delivered by Justice Hassan Dikko, held that the APC conducted no valid primary on the said date.

The suit was filed by APC senatorial aspirant, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, challenging the emergence of Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as the party’s candidate for the 2027 election.
Joined as defendants were APC, INEC and Ya’u Kaura.

After the judgment, counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, said the court upheld their position that the process was flawed.

According to him, the court found evidence of overvoting and non-compliance with the APC Constitution, the party’s guidelines, and provisions of the Electoral Act.

Consequently, the court set aside the purported primary and directed the APC to conduct a fresh exercise within 14 days.

Galadi described the judgment as “a victory for democracy and a reaffirmation of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.”

The counsel to the APC and Senator Ya’u, Musbahu Salawudeen, also welcomed the judgment, saying it gives the party “a second bite” at the process.

“That is the beauty of the judiciary. My Lord has given another window and opportunity to the APC that they can have a fresh primary within 14 days from today,” he said.

Salawudeen, however, said the legal team would study the judgment before advising Senator Ya’u on whether to accept the ruling or appeal.

He expressed optimism that Senator Ya’u would emerge again, even if a fresh primary is conducted.

Reacting, Dr Shinkafi urged the APC national leadership to conduct the fresh primary in strict compliance with the Electoral Act and party guidelines.

He called on political parties to adhere to their constitutions and warned against actions that could undermine democratic processes.

He further urged aggrieved members to seek legal redress rather than resort to violence.

The ruling means APC Zamfara North must conduct a new primary on or before 14 September 2026 to field a candidate for the 2027 senatorial election.