A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial District, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to withdraw Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u’s name as the party’s senatorial candidate, citing a Court of Appeal judgment affirming the nullification of the disputed primary election.
Shinkafi, in a statement, said the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, on October 20, 2026, dismissed Ya’u’s appeal as “grossly unmeritorious” and upheld the judgment of the Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State, which nullified the APC primary and ordered a fresh exercise for all cleared aspirants.
He expressed concern that INEC had continued to publish Ya’u’s name as the APC candidate despite the court decisions, adding that the commission had been served with copies of the judgments.
According to him, the continued publication of the senator’s name raises questions about compliance with judicial decisions and could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
“The commission has the opportunity to redeem its image, obey the clear judgment of the Court of Appeal, rebuild public trust and uphold electoral integrity essential for sustainable democracy and development in Nigeria,” Shinkafi said.
He maintained that the court ordered fresh primary should be conducted in accordance with the judgment, arguing that the party’s eligible aspirants should be given the opportunity to participate in the exercise.
Shinkafi further alleged that certain interests were working to prevent the APC from fielding a candidate for the Zamfara North Senatorial District, warning that the situation could have implications for the party’s participation in the 2027 general elections.
He said he had instructed his lawyer to formally write to the INEC chairman over the matter, adding that the letter had been submitted to and acknowledged by the commission.
In the letter dated October 27, 2026, counsel to Shinkafi, S.Y. Aliyu of Yas Law Firm, asked INEC to withdraw the publication of Ya’u’s name pending compliance with the court’s order for a fresh primary or further determination of the matter by the Supreme Court.
The letter referenced Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/6/2026 before the Federal High Court, Gusau, and Appeal No. CA/S/239/2026 before the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division.
Counsel stated that the appellate court had affirmed the lower court’s judgment and urged INEC to take steps consistent with the subsisting court orders.
Shinkafi called for adherence to the rule of law, saying the dispute should be resolved in line with the judicial decisions and applicable electoral provisions.
