The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election for the Zamfara North Senatorial District over gross violations of the party’s guidelines and the Electoral Act.
The judgment, delivered yesterday by Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye, affirmed an earlier ruling by the Federal High Court in Gusau, which nullified the primary election in August 2026.
Justice Awotoye criticised the APC for what he described as the reckless declaration of Senator Sahabi Ya’u as the winner despite alleged violations of the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act. The court held that the respondent, Hon. Abdullahi Shinkafi, had established his case, questioning how a senatorial district with 26,000 registered party members could record 70,000 votes for an aspirant. According to the court, the figures presented by the party revealed apparent over-voting and other irregularities that invalidated the entire exercise and warranted its nullification.
Justice Awotoye also questioned why the party leadership ignored the discrepancies and proceeded to declare a winner despite the election failing basic integrity tests.
The appellate court resolved all seven issues raised for determination in the appeal against Senator Ya’u.
Addressing a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction, counsel to the appellant, Popoola, SAN, had argued that the case should not have been entertained. However, the court held that Shinkafi had exhausted the party’s internal dispute resolution mechanisms before approaching the judiciary.
The court also rejected the argument that the suit was statute-barred, ruling that it was filed within the legally prescribed period and properly considered on its merits in accordance with existing laws.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Shinkafi, Bello Galadi, described the decision as a victory for the rule of law and democracy.
Galadi said the ruling would serve as a deterrent to political parties and politicians who undermine internal democracy and disregard their own rules.
Shinkafi also thanked the judiciary for living up to its reputation as the last hope of the common man, describing the judgment as freedom from political captivity.
He maintained that the ruling represented a victory against marginalisation and prolonged political dominance, noting that Senator Ya’u had spent 16 consecutive years in the Senate, while Kaura Namoda had monopolised the senatorial seat since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.