Zamfara North Senatorial Primary: Shinkafi Confident of Victory at Appeal Court

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 district.

The appeal, filed by Alhaji Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u Kaura, is challenging the judgment of the Federal High Court in Gusau, presided over by Justice Hassan Dikko, which ordered the APC to conduct a fresh senatorial primary election for the district.

Dr. Shinkafi expressed the optimism while speaking to journalists after the Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto heard arguments in the appeal challenging the judgment of the lower court.

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

Dr. Shinkafi said electoral disputes were determined largely on the basis of evidence, stressing that the appeal would not alter the facts established before the lower court.

He explained that the Electoral Act and the APC guidelines clearly prescribe procedures for the conduct of party primaries, arguing that, the disputed primary election did not comply with the stipulated requirements.

According to him, Section 84 of the Electoral Act provides the legal framework for the conduct of party primaries, while the APC guidelines also set out specific procedures that must be followed.

The aspirant said he approached the Federal High Court only after exhausting the internal mechanisms 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 and submissions presented before it.

Dr. Shinkafi 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 the Court of Appeal would uphold the judgment of the lower court, saying the evidence before it clearly demonstrated what he described as violations of the APC guidelines and relevant provisions of the Electoral Act.

The aspirant called on his supporters and members of his political camp to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding while awaiting the decision of the appellate court.

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

Dr. Shinkafi also criticised what he described as the prolonged dominance of the Zamfara North senatorial seat by one area, arguing that political representation should reflect fairness, equity and inclusiveness among 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.

According to him, the people of the senatorial district deserved equal opportunities to participate in and benefit from political leadership.

He thanked his supporters and the people of Zamfara North for their continued support, urging them to remain peaceful and law-abiding 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.