Court nullifies Zamfara APC primaries, orders fresh election

The Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, has nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for Zamfara North and ordered a fresh election within 14 days.

The presiding judge, Justice Hassan Dikko, gave the order in a judgement on the suit filed by Dr Abdullahi Shinkafi’s suit against the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Senator Sahabi Ya’u of Zamfara North, on Monday, August 31, 2026.

Shinkafi had filed the suit contesting the validity of the outcome of the May 19 senatorial primary elections for the Zamfara North Senatorial District.

He had accused the APC of declining to follow the party’s constitution and its guidelines in the direct primaries for the senatorial seat.

Shinkafi alleged that the process was marred by irregularities and did not follow INEC guidelines and the electoral Act 2022 as amended

Justice Dikko in the judgement said the court, based on evidence before it, ruled in favour of the plaintiff.

Justice Dikko ruled that the APC did not follow its Constitution and INEC guidelines in the Zamfara North senatorial primary election.

The judge, therefore, ordered fresh primaries for the seat within 14 days.

Sylva quits APC, says party has abandoned its founding ideals

He said the court based its judgement on the resolutions and rulings on affidavits, counter affidavits, and preliminary objections filed by both the plaintiff and respondents in the suit.

Justice Dikko declared that the judgement also followed the final addresses by counsel to all parties in the dispute.

Meanwhile, the counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, expressed satisfaction with the judgement, adding that his client was ready for the fresh conduct of the senatorial primaries within 14 days.

On his part, Musbau Salauddeen, Counsel to Senator Sahabi Ya’u, said while he consults with the client on the judgement, the outcome still gave the senator a window for fresh primaries.

He said there was hope for the senator to participate in the fresh primaries as directed by the Federal High Court.