Zamfara North APC primary has been nullified by a Federal High Court, which ordered the party to conduct a fresh election within 14 days
Justice Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court in Gusau, Zamfara State, has nullified the All Progressives Congress senatorial primary for Zamfara North and ordered the party to conduct a fresh election within 14 days.
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The ruling followed a legal challenge brought by APC senatorial aspirant Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, who questioned the legality of the primary conducted by the party for the district.
Justice Dikko delivered judgment on Monday after considering the written addresses and arguments adopted by the parties in the case.
The court directed the APC to organise another primary in accordance with the party’s applicable rules and relevant electoral provisions.
The decision effectively sets aside the earlier exercise and opens the contest again for eligible aspirants seeking the APC ticket for Zamfara North.
Shinkafi welcomed the judgment, describing it as an important moment for confidence in Nigeria’s judiciary.
“I appreciate the judgment. It’s a milestone towards our success. The judiciary has been vindicated; people still have confidence in it,” he said.
The aspirant had approached the Federal High Court after disputing the legality of the primary election.
His challenge placed the conduct of the party’s internal electoral process under judicial scrutiny and ultimately resulted in the court ordering a fresh exercise.
The ruling could now trigger renewed political activity within the APC in Zamfara North as aspirants prepare for another contest.
For the party, the 14-day deadline also places a tight timetable on its leadership to organise the fresh primary and ensure compliance with the court’s directive.
The case highlights the growing role of the courts in resolving disputes arising from political party primaries, particularly where aspirants challenge the procedures through which candidates are selected.
Party primaries are internal exercises, but their legality can have wider electoral consequences because the outcome determines who represents political parties in general elections.
The latest judgment therefore carries significance beyond the immediate contest in Zamfara North.
It also reinforces the importance of parties following their own constitutions, guidelines and applicable electoral rules when selecting candidates.
With the earlier primary nullified, the APC must now return to the process and conduct a fresh contest that satisfies the conditions set out by the court.
For Shinkafi and other potential aspirants, the new exercise represents a renewed opportunity to seek the party’s nomination.
For the APC, it presents a chance to address the legal concerns that led to the judgment and prevent another challenge from disrupting the electoral process.
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The immediate next step is therefore clear: the party has 14 days from the judgment to conduct a fresh Zamfara North senatorial primary in line with the court’s directive.
