Zamfara North APC Primary: Shinkafi Expresses Confidence at Appeal Court

Editor 

The Senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North Senatorial District, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal will uphold the judgment of the Federal High Court which nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election conducted in the area. 

Dr. Shinkafi stated this while speaking to journalists after the Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto heard arguments in the appeal challenging the lower court’s judgment.

He said his confidence was based on the documentary evidence presented before the Federal High Court, which, according to him, established non-compliance with the Electoral Act and the APC guidelines for the conduct of primary elections.

Dr. Shinkafi explained that electoral disputes are determined based on evidence, stressing that the appeal would not change the facts established before the lower court.

He said the Electoral Act and the APC’s guidelines clearly stipulate procedures for conducting primary elections, adding that the disputed primary failed to comply with the prescribed requirements.

According to him, Section 84 of the Electoral Act provides the legal framework for the conduct of party primaries, while the party’s guidelines also specify how its primaries should be conducted.

Dr. Shinkafi said he approached the Federal High Court after exhausting the internal processes available to him, in accordance with the law.

He recalled that on August 31, 2026, the Federal High Court delivered judgment in his favour after considering the evidence presented before it.

The aspirant said the case was substantially supported by documentary evidence, which he described as sufficient to establish the alleged violations without relying solely on oral testimony.

He expressed optimism that justice would prevail at the appellate court, saying the evidence before the court clearly demonstrated what he described as violations of the party’s guidelines and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

Dr. Shinkafi called on his supporters and members of his political camp to remain calm and law-abiding while awaiting the outcome of the appeal.

He urged his supporters across Shinkafi, Birnin Magaji, Zurmi and Kaura Namoda Local Government Areas to continue advocating for what he described as equitable political representation.

The aspirant also criticised what he described as the prolonged dominance of the senatorial seat by one area, arguing that political representation should reflect fairness, equity and inclusiveness across the four local government areas that make up the district.

He said the people of Zamfara North were tired of what he described as “political slavery,” poor representation, marginalisation and the concentration of political power in one locality.

Dr. Shinkafi maintained that the people of the zone deserved equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from political leadership.

He thanked his supporters and the people of the senatorial district for their continued support and urged them to remain peaceful as they await the final decision of the court.

The Court of Appeal has reserved judgment in the matter, with the date to be communicated to the parties when the judgment is ready