Zamfara APC Senatorial nomination contest: Shinkafi threatens legal action over disputed procedure

Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, the Zamfara North Senatorial aspirant for the All Progressive Congress, has pledged to take the issue of his exclusion from the Senatorial Primary to court, seeking to clear his name and challenge the process.

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The exclusion, which Shinkafi claims was orchestrated by the affirmation of anointed candidates, has raised concerns over the fairness of the process, with Shinkafi describing it as a form of political banditry in the state.

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On Tuesday, in Gusau, Dr. Shinkafi addressed the media, expressing his discontent with the process, which he believes was imposed upon the aspirants, and termed it as "imposition of candidates and political banditry).

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According to Shinkafi, Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, had arrived in Zamfara via a private jet, accompanied by past and present governors, to enforce a directive that all senatorial aspirants should withdraw from the primaries, allegedly on the orders of President Bola Tinubu.

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Shinkafi alleged that this directive, if indeed given by the President, contravenes the Electoral Act 2026, specifically Section 84, which mandates that primaries for all elective positions be held through direct primaries or consensus, with the Independent National Electoral Commission monitoring the process.

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The aspirant also referenced recent statements made by President Tinubu and APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, emphasizing the party's commitment to avoiding imposition and opting for direct primaries when consensus cannot be reached.

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Shinkafi claimed that he was never consulted or approached to withdraw from the race and did not submit any letter indicating his withdrawal, further solidifying his decision to challenge the exclusion.

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Directing his supporters in Zamfara North to boycott the affirmation exercise, Shinkafi alleged that political thugs had been mobilized to disrupt the primaries, and urged his supporters to remain calm and stay at home.

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As a self-proclaimed democrat and law-abiding citizen, Shinkafi stated that he would not participate in any electoral process that does not comply with the provisions of the law.

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He reiterated his vow to challenge his exclusion in court, stating, "This injustice shall not stand, I will challenge my unlawful exclusion from Zamfara North Senatorial Primary in Court."