By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State, has nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary conducted for Zamfara North and ordered the party to organise a fresh exercise within 14 days.
The court, in a judgment delivered virtually by Justice Hassan Dikko, set aside the May 19, 2026 primary that produced Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as the APC’s candidate for the Zamfara North Senatorial District in the 2027 general elections.
The judgment followed a pre-election suit instituted by another APC aspirant, Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, who challenged the validity of the primary.
The APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura were joined as defendants in the suit.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to Shinkafi, Bello Galadi, said the court agreed with his client that the May 19 exercise did not constitute a valid primary election.
Galadi said the court found evidence of overvoting and breaches of the APC Constitution, the party’s electoral guidelines and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.
He said the court consequently voided the disputed primary and directed the APC to conduct another senatorial primary within 14 days.
The lawyer described the decision as a victory for democratic principles and a reaffirmation of the judiciary’s role in providing redress for citizens whose rights may have been infringed.
Counsel to the APC and Senator Sahabi Ya’u, Musbahu Salawudeen, also acknowledged the judgment, describing the order for a fresh primary as an opportunity for the party to regularise the process ahead of the 2027 elections.
Salawudeen said the ruling effectively gave the APC another opportunity to conduct the primary and avoid any situation that could jeopardise the party’s participation in the senatorial contest.
According to him, the court had provided what he termed “a second bite” by directing the party to organise a fresh exercise within 14 days.
“That is the beauty of the judiciary. My Lord has given another window and opportunity to the APC that they can have a second bite, now that a fresh primary will be conducted within 14 days from today,” he said.
He, however, disclosed that his legal team would study the judgment in detail before advising Senator Sahabi Ya’u on whether to accept the ruling or challenge it at a higher court.
Salawudeen stressed that the decision on an appeal ultimately belonged to his client, while expressing confidence that Senator Sahabi Ya’u could emerge victorious again if the fresh primary is conducted.
On his part, Shinkafi welcomed the ruling, describing it as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
He called on the APC national leadership to ensure that the fresh primary is conducted transparently and in strict accordance with the Electoral Act, the party’s constitution and its internal guidelines.
Shinkafi said the judgment had further demonstrated the importance of the judiciary in resolving disputes and providing a lawful avenue for aggrieved party members to seek justice.
He urged political parties to respect their constitutions, electoral guidelines and applicable laws when conducting internal elections.
The APC aspirant also advised aggrieved politicians and party members to pursue their grievances through lawful channels rather than resorting to violence or other actions capable of undermining the democratic process.
