APC aspirant condemns INEC’s publication of Ya’u as Zamfara North candidate

The All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant for Zamfara North Senatorial District, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, condemned the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) publication of the name of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as the party’s candidate for Zamfara North.

In a statement issued on Saturday in Gusau, the APC chieftain and senatorial aspirant said the Federal High Court, Gusau, Zamfara State, judgement of 31 August 2026, had nullified the primary election held on 19 May and ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary election within 14 days of the judgement being delivered.

The statement reads in part: “The court also ordered INEC to accept the outcome of the fresh primary election. The commission was duly served the certified true copy of the court order for compliance.

“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.

ALSO READ: Patients don’t care about your qualifications, title; they care whether you noticed something and acted —Glory Ohunyon, UK-based nurse

“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 in which the commission was a party to and fully represented will erode public confidence in the electoral system.

“It could be recalled that the Supreme Court had nullified the All Progressives Congress’ primaries in previous general elections and awarded victory to the political party that came second in the polls, including governorship elections.”

The Counsel to the plaintiff, YAS Law Firm, has written a letter to the INEC Chairman dated 18 September 2026, which reads: “Notice of unlawful publication of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as APC candidate for Zamfara North Senatorial District in defiance of existing Federal High Court judgement.”