Shinkafi Opposes INEC’s Publication Of Zamfara North APC Candidate

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial District, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has criticised the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the publication of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as the party’s candidate for the district ahead of the 2027 general election.

Shinkafi, in a statement alleged that the commission’s publication contravened a judgment of the Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State, which nullified the APC’s senatorial primary election conducted on May 19, 2026.

The aspirant called on INEC to immediately withdraw Ya’u’s name, arguing that the commission should comply with the court’s order directing the APC to conduct a fresh primary election.

According to the statement, the court, in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/6/2026, presided over by Justice Hassan Dikko, delivered the judgment on August 31, 2026.

Shinkafi said the court found that due process had not been followed in the conduct of the APC’s Zamfara North senatorial primary and consequently set aside the election.

The court reportedly directed the APC to conduct a fresh primary election for all cleared aspirants within 14 days of the judgment.

It also ordered INEC to accept and publish the name of any candidate who validly emerges from the fresh primary election.

The judgment, as reproduced in the statement, further directed the defendants to uphold internal party democracy and comply with the Electoral Act, party guidelines and relevant constitutional provisions.

Reacting to the publication of Ya’u’s name, Shinkafi described the action as a violation of a valid court order and an act capable of weakening public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral institutions.

He argued that publishing a candidate’s name before the completion of the fresh primary election or the determination of any appeal could undermine the authority of the judiciary.

According to him, INEC, as the electoral management body, has a responsibility to protect the credibility of political parties’ nomination processes and ensure compliance with judicial decisions.

Shinkafi further stated that disobedience to a court order in a case in which INEC was represented could erode public trust in the electoral system.

The statement included a letter from YAS Law Firm, acting as legal representatives of Shinkafi, to the INEC Chairman dated September 18, 2026.

The letter, titled “Notice of Unlawful Publication of Sen. Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as APC Candidate for Zamfara North Senatorial District in Defiance of Existing Federal High Court Judgement,” urged the commission to withdraw Ya’u’s name.

The lawyers cited the August 31 judgment and maintained that the matter remained subject to due process, including the fresh primary election ordered by the court or the determination of appellate proceedings.

The law firm requested that INEC suspend the publication of Ya’u’s candidacy pending the fresh primary election or the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts.

Shinkafi also referred to previous cases in which the Supreme Court nullified APC primary elections and awarded electoral victories to candidates of other political parties.

He argued that such precedents demonstrated the potential consequences of non-compliance with electoral laws and party nomination procedures.

Shinkafi called on INEC to comply with the Federal High Court’s judgment and withdraw the publication of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as the APC’s Zamfara North senatorial candidate.

He maintained that adherence to court orders was necessary to strengthen democratic institutions, uphold the rule of law and build public confidence ahead of the 2027 general election.