The aspirant for the All Progressive Congress (APC) primaries for Zamfara North Senatorial District, Sani Shinkafi has called on the national leadership of the party to ensure a free, fair, credible and transparent primary election.
Shinkafi who made the call at the news briefing in Gusau, expressed dissatisfaction with the manner the party leadership is handling the preparations for the primaries.
The Federal High Court Gusau in September. 2026, nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) primary election which held on May 19, 2026 over alleged irregularities and violation of the party’s constitution.
The Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division in its judgment delivered on October 20, 2026, affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court in Gusau.
The courts ordered the party to conduct a fresh primary involving all aspirants who had been cleared to participate.
Shinkafi also expressed concerns over the proposed date and party arrangements to conduct the primary election for Zamfara North Senatorial district.
He disclosed that he had sent three text messages to the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda,
He expressed dismay that, no official message from the party leadership from the state or at National level concerning the conduct of the primaries.
“As one of aspirants for the primaries, I am very surprised to see a notice, announcing the schedule of activities for the Zamfara North senatorial primary on social media to be hold on Monday, November 2, 2026.
“I want use this opportunity to call on the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to look in to the matter and provide conducive time and wider consultations,” Shinkafi said.
He added that preparations for the primaries required adequate preparations and wider consultations with relevant stakeholders considering the security situation in the area.
Shinkafi urged the APC National chairman to liaise with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies to ensure proper preparations for the exercise.
According to him, part of the responsibilities of the party leadership to ensure free and fair primaries.
“All the aspirants must be given equal treatment by the party.
“The preparations for the primaries required adequate preparations and wider consultations with relevant stakeholders considering the security situation in the area,” he insisted.
He, however, expressed displeasure over the national chairman’s response, which he alleged that, directed him to discuss the matter with former Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle.
Dr Shinkafi maintained that his concerned should be addressed directly by the party’s leadership in accordance with the APC constitution and electoral guidelines.
“The party should not rush into conducting the exercise without proper consultation, adequate notice and necessary arrangements to guarantee the safety of participants.
He also appealed to Governor Dauda Lawal and other party leaders in the state to remain neutral in the primaries, saying that all aspirants should be given a level playing field.
The INEC, the APC leadership in the state, and security agencies should maintain neutrality and support a transparent and credible primary election.
He also cautioned against electoral violence, saying although he would not mobilise armed groups or engage in violence, but he would not accept any attempt to undermine the credibility of the primary.