A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the publication of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as the party’s candidate for Zamfara North Senatorial District.
Shinkafi, who is also an aspirant for the seat, said INEC’s decision to publish Ya’u’s name was unlawful because a Federal High Court in Gusau had nullified the APC primary that produced him and ordered the party to conduct a fresh exercise.
In a letter dated 18 September 2026 and addressed to the INEC Chairman, Shinkafi demanded the immediate withdrawal of Ya’u’s name from the commission’s published list.
The Federal High Court, Gusau Judicial Division, had on 31 August 2026, in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/6/2026, set aside the APC primary election purportedly conducted on 19 May 2026.
Justice Hassan Dikko ruled that the primary was conducted in breach of provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 as well as the APC constitution and guidelines.
The court ordered the APC to conduct a fresh primary involving all cleared aspirants within 14 days of the judgment.
It also directed INEC to accept and publish the name of the candidate who validly emerges from the court-ordered exercise.
Shinkafi’s lawyers, YAS Law Firm, argued in the letter that publishing Ya’u’s name before a fresh primary had been conducted or before the conclusion of any appellate proceedings undermined the authority of the judiciary and established electoral jurisprudence.
The letter, signed by S.Y. Aliyu, Esq., was delivered to INEC at its headquarters in Maitama, Abuja.
Shinkafi described the commission’s action as inappropriate and unfair, arguing that INEC should not act in a manner that could be perceived as defying an existing judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.
He also recalled previous cases in which the Supreme Court nullified party primaries over alleged non-compliance with electoral laws and internal party rules.
“As the electoral umpire, INEC should safeguard the credibility and integrity of the electoral process, including political parties’ nomination processes,” the letter stated.
The legal notice highlighted eight orders contained in the Federal High Court judgment, including a perpetual injunction restraining the APC, INEC and Senator Ya’u from further breaches of relevant constitutional and statutory provisions.
The court also held that the actions of the APC and Ya’u were inconsistent with internal democracy and that due process was not followed during the 19 May primary.
Shinkafi’s legal team attached a certified true copy of the judgment and INEC’s publication to the petition, urging the commission to suspend action pending either the conduct of a fresh primary or the final determination of any appeal.
The lawyers argued that, with the 14-day period for the fresh primary running from 31 August, the appropriate course was for the APC to conduct the court-ordered exercise and for INEC to subsequently recognise its valid outcome.
The dispute has further heightened tensions among APC stakeholders in Zamfara North over the legitimacy of the May primary and the identity of the party’s candidate for the senatorial district.
Shinkafi said he remained committed to due process and the rule of law within the APC.
He urged INEC to withdraw the current publication to avoid any action that could expose the commission to contempt proceedings and to preserve confidence in the electoral process.
