By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The All Progressives Congress must conduct a new primary for Zamfara North Senatorial District after a Federal High Court in Gusau invalidated the May 19, 2026 exercise and ordered the party to hold another poll within 14 days.
Justice Hassan Dikko delivered the ruling virtually and granted the pre-election suit filed by APC aspirant Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi. The court nullified the primary that produced Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as the APC candidate for the 2027 election.
The APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura were joined as defendants.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the judgment, counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, said the court upheld his client’s position that no valid primary election was conducted by the APC on May 19, 2026.
According to him, the court found evidence of overvoting and non-compliance with the APC Constitution, the party’s guidelines, and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
Galadi said the court consequently set aside the purported primary and directed the APC to conduct a fresh exercise within 14 days.
He described the judgment as a victory for democracy and a reaffirmation of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
Counsel to the All Progressives Congress and Senator Sahabi Ya’u, Musbahu Salawudeen also welcomed the judgment of the Federal High Court in Gusau ordering the party to conduct a fresh primary election for the Zamfara North Senatorial District within 14 days.
Salawudeen described the judgment as an opportunity for the APC to conduct another primary rather than risk being excluded from participating in the 2027 general elections.
He said the court had given the party “a second bite” by directing that a fresh primary be conducted within 14 days from today.
“That is the beauty of the judiciary. My Lord has given another window and opportunity to the APC that they can have a second bite, now that a fresh primary will be conducted within 14 days from today.”
The counsel, however, said his legal team would study the judgment carefully before advising Senator Sahabi Ya’u on whether to accept the ruling or appeal it.
He stressed that the final decision rests with his client. According to him, the APC remains optimistic that even if a fresh primary is conducted, Senator Sahabi Ya’u would emerge again as the party’s candidate for the senatorial district.
Reacting to the judgment, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi described it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Shinkafi urged the national leadership of the APC to conduct the fresh primary in strict compliance with the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.
He said the decision had reaffirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, particularly for those seeking legal redress when their rights were allegedly violated, and called on the APC and other political parties to strictly adhere to their constitutions, internal guidelines, and relevant electoral laws when conducting party primaries.
He cautioned political parties against actions capable of undermining democratic processes, urging aggrieved members to seek legal redress rather than resorting to violence or other unlawful means.
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