Court Nullifies APC Zamfara North Senatorial Primary, Orders Fresh Election Within 14 Days

By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna

GUSAU — A Federal High Court in Gusau has nullified the All Progressives Congress primary election for Zamfara North Senatorial District, dealing a major blow to the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections and ordering a fresh exercise within two weeks.

Delivering judgment virtually on the matter, Justice Hassan Dikko set aside the May 19, 2026 primary that produced Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as the APC candidate, after upholding a pre-election suit filed by fellow party aspirant, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi.

The suit listed the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission, and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as defendants.

Counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, told journalists after the ruling that the court agreed with his client that no valid primary was conducted on the scheduled date.

According to Galadi, Justice Dikko found clear evidence of over-voting and substantial non-compliance with the APC Constitution, the party’s guidelines for primaries, and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

“Consequently, the court set aside the purported primary and directed the APC to conduct a fresh exercise within 14 days,” Galadi said. 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 APC and Senator Sahabi Ya’u, Musbahu Salawudeen, also addressed reporters and welcomed the court’s directive, describing it as an opportunity for the party to avoid being shut out of the 2027 race.

“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,” Salawudeen said.

He added that his legal team would carefully study the full judgment before advising Senator Sahabi Ya’u on whether to accept the ruling or proceed on appeal. The final decision, he said, rests with his client.

Despite the nullification, Salawudeen expressed optimism that Senator Sahabi Ya’u would emerge again as the party’s candidate if a fresh primary is held.

Reacting to the judgment, Dr. Shinkafi hailed it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law. He urged the national leadership of the APC to conduct the fresh primary in strict compliance with the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.

“The decision has reaffirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, particularly for those seeking legal redress when their rights were allegedly violated,” Shinkafi said.

He called on the APC and other political parties to strictly adhere to their constitutions, internal guidelines, and relevant electoral laws when conducting party primaries.

Shinkafi also cautioned political parties against actions capable of undermining democratic processes, and urged aggrieved members to seek legal redress rather than resorting to violence or other unlawful means.