From Sidi Ibrahim Kaulahi, Gusau
A winner of the recent judgement passed by the Federal High Court Gusau on Zamfara North senatorial primary election conducted by the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has raised an alarm alleging that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has defied the court order which directed for the conduct of fresh primary election within two weeks.
This is contained in a statement issued by S.Y. Aliyu Esq on behalf of Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, saying the Federal High Court had declared that due process was not followed by the Defendants (APC, INEC, and Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u) in conducting the purported Primary Election for Zamfara North Senatorial Zone which was purportedly held on 19th May, 2026, and same is null and void.
According to the statement, Dr. Shinkafi whistled that the name of the third defendant (Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura) is still published in the list of winners of the senatorial elections as displayed by the second defendant (INEC).
“In light of the subsisting judgment of the Federal High Court, we urge the Commission to immediately withdraw and stay the publication of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as the APC candidate, pending the final determination of the matter in the appellate courts or pending the fresh primary election ordered by the court, to preserve the rule of law.
“That an Order of perpetual injunction is granted restraining the Defendants, their agents, privies, assigns from committing further breach of the aforesaid constitutional/statutory provisions.
“That the 2nd Defendant (INEC) is accordingly ordered to accept and publish the name of any candidate who will validly emerge from the fresh Primary Election for Zamfara North Senatorial Zone ordered by the Court in this Judgment.
“It is inappropriate, unfair, unjust, justice juxtaposed and an assault on the nation’s emerging democracy for INEC to flagrantly violate a clear order of a court of competent jurisdiction.
“The publication of any candidate’s name prior to a fresh primary election ordered by the court, or determination of the matter at the appellate court undermines the Judiciary as the temple of justice and the last hope of all aggrieved citizens.
“As the electoral umpire, INEC should safeguard the credibility and integrity of the electoral process including the political parties’ nomination processes. Disobeying a court order in a matter which the commission was a party to and fully represented will erode public confidence in the electoral system” the statement said.
The statement further cited the existing Federal High Court Judgment, in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/6/2026 before Hon. Justice Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court, Gusau Judicial Division, delivered on August 31, 2026, during which the court set aside the purported primary election held on May 19, 2026, and ruled that there was no valid candidate due to non-compliance with the Electoral Act and party guidelines.
