Shinkafi shocked over Zamfara north candidacy amid court order

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

Shinkafi, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara state, in its judgment delivered on August 31, 2026, nullified the APC primary election held on May 19 and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary election within 14 days of the judgment.

He said the court also ordered INEC to accept the outcome of the fresh primary election, adding that the commission had been duly served with a certified true copy of the court order for compliance.

According to him, it was inappropriate, unfair and unjust for INEC to disregard what he described as a clear order of a court of competent jurisdiction.

“The publication of any candidate’s name prior to a fresh primary election ordered by the court, or the determination of the matter by the appellate court, undermines the Judiciary as the temple of justice and the last hope of all aggrieved citizens.

“As the electoral umpire, INEC should safeguard the credibility and integrity of the electoral process, including the nomination processes of political parties.

“Disobeying a court order in a matter in which the commission was a party and fully represented will erode public confidence in the electoral system,” he said.

Shinkafi recalled that the Supreme Court had, in previous general elections, nullified APC primary elections and, in some cases, awarded victory to the political party that came second in the polls, including in governorship elections.

He urged INEC to immediately withdraw and suspend the publication of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as the APC candidate pending the final determination of the matter by the appellate courts or the conduct of the fresh primary election ordered by the court.

He said such a step would help preserve the rule of law and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.