APC Senatorial Aspirant Drag APC, INEC, Senator Sahabi to Court As the Suit Adjourned to June 25

From Abdulrahaman Abdullahi Gusau

Justice Hassan Dikko of the Federal Higher Court Gusau has presided over a pre-election suit by APC Zamfara North Senatorial Aspirant Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi challenged his total exclusion from the primary election.

The plaintiff is asking the court to nullify the APC primary in his pre-election suit involving the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura.

The Counsel in the matter Barrister Bello Galadi disclosed that, the suit has three defendants which comprises the APC as the first defendant, INEC as the second defendant, and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as the third defendant.

The case came up for mention on Tuesday, but proceedings could not advance substantially as issues relating to the participation of INEC, the second defendant, remained outstanding.

The court subsequently fixed June 25, 2026, for further mention, with expectations that INEC will participate in the proceedings and that all parties will have exchanged their pleadings before the next sitting.

Speaking after the court session, counsel to the plaintiff Barrister Bello Galadi expressed optimism about the case and confidence in the judicial process.

“It is not merely about confidence; it is about establishing our case through due process. We believe the court will do justice to all parties,” he said.

The lawyer further noted that pre-election matters are generally treated with urgency under the law and are expected to be determined expeditiously.

According to him, such cases are not meant to be prolonged unnecessarily but should be resolved within the timelines prescribed by law.

On his part, the counsel to the third defendant, Barrister Jaysey Sharka said, the case is still in the hearing process.