A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has filed a lawsuit against the party, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u over his alleged exclusion from the party’s senatorial primary election. The primary, purportedly conducted on May 19, 2026, produced Senator Ya’u as the APC candidate for Zamfara North Senatorial District.
Legal Challenge Filed in Federal High Court
The suit was lodged at the Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State. Shinkafi contends that he did not withdraw from the race nor endorse any aspirant as a consensus candidate. He insists that the party failed to conduct a valid direct primary election in line with the Electoral Act 2026 and APC guidelines.
Plaintiff’s Arguments
Counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Idris Galadi Esq., filed the suit marked FHC/GS/CS/6/2026 on May 25, 2026. The suit seeks the court’s interpretation of several constitutional and statutory provisions relating to party primaries and internal democracy. Key questions raised include:
- Whether the APC was obligated under Section 84(1) of the Electoral Act 2026 to conduct primaries for all elective positions.
- Whether the party was duty bound under Section 84(2) to nominate candidates by direct primaries or consensus.
- Whether the APC’s actions violated internal democracy as per Section 86 of the Electoral Act 2026.
- Whether the party satisfied the requirements of Sections 86 and 87, Article 20.4(1) of the APC Constitution, and the APC Guidelines for direct and consensus primaries.
Reliefs Sought by Shinkafi
In the suit, Shinkafi requests several declarations and orders, including:
- A declaration that due process was not followed in the conduct of the purported primary election on May 19, 2026.
- A declaration that the actions of the APC and Senator Ya’u were inconsistent with internal democracy.
- A declaration that there was no valid consensus arrangement or properly conducted direct primary for the district.
- An order setting aside the purported primary election conducted under INEC supervision.
- An order directing the APC to conduct a fresh primary election involving all cleared aspirants.
- An order compelling the defendants to uphold internal democracy and credible electoral processes in future nominations.
- A perpetual injunction restraining further breaches of constitutional and statutory provisions.
Affidavit Details
In a 21-paragraph affidavit, Shinkafi stated that he purchased the APC expression of interest and nomination forms for Zamfara North Senatorial District on April 30, 2026, for ₦20 million. He submitted the completed forms and was screened by a committee that cleared three aspirants: Hanafi Musa Moriki, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, and Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u.
