A senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has vowed to challenge his alleged exclusion from the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary in court, declaring that the injustice will not stand.
He made this known during a press briefing in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, where he expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as his exclusion from the party’s primary process.
Dr Abdullahi Shinkafi alleged that, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, influenced decisions that undermined internal democracy within the All Progressives Congress APC, warning that, such actions could weaken the party’s chances in the forthcoming general elections in Zamfara State.
The aspirant recalled that, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had on several occasions emphasised the need for adherence to democratic principles and the rule of law, particularly in line with provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing the nomination of candidates.
He also cited the position of the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, who had indicated that, the party would adopt direct primaries where consensus arrangements fail, in order to prevent the imposition of candidates.
“To the greatest surprise of most aspirants for for senatorial primaries in Zamfara State, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle arrived the state today with a private jet along with past and serving governors of Zamfara State claiming that Mr President had ordered that all aspirants for senate should withdraw for all serving senators for party primaries scheduled to hold on Tuesday, 19th May 2026”
“There was no meeting or consultation for this arbitrary order which contradicted earlier statements made by the President and National Chairman of our great party. This undemocratic order if actually made by Mr President does not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026”
Shinkafi further referenced Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political parties to conduct primaries for aspirants seeking elective offices, either through direct primaries or consensus arrangements agreed upon by all parties.
According to him, the alleged directive for aspirants to step down in favour of incumbent senators ahead of the primaries scheduled for today May 19, 2026, was issued without consultation and contradicts both the law and earlier assurances by party leaders.
He warned that, the situation mirrors the events leading to the 2019 Zamfara APC Supreme Court Judgment, where internal disputes over primaries led to the nullification of APC’s electoral victories in the state.
Dr Sani Shinkafi argued that, the current approach, if not reversed, could again jeopardise the party’s electoral prospects, adding that, adherence to the 1999 Constitution as amended, the Electoral Act 2026, and the APC constitution remains critical.
He further alleged the mobilisation of political thugs to disrupt the process and enforce the adoption of “anointed” candidates, describing the development as a threat to democracy.
The former governorship candidate maintained that he has neither withdrawn from the senatorial race nor consented to any consensus arrangement, insisting that he was not consulted at any stage.
Dr Shinkafi, therefore, directed his supporters across Zamfara North Senatorial District to boycott what he termed an “undemocratic affirmation process,” while urging them to remain calm and law-abiding.
Shinkafi reiterated his commitment to seeking redress through the courts, stressing that the rule of law must prevail in the conduct of party primaries.
COV/AMINU DALHATU
