Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
The Federal High Court sitting in Gusau, Zamfara State, has fixed August 31, 2026, for judgment in a suit filed by Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, an All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant, challenging the conduct of the party's Zamfara North Senatorial primary election. Justice Hassan Dikko fixed the date on Friday, August 7, 2026, after all parties in the matter adopted their final written addresses before the court.
Shinkafi had instituted the suit against the APC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and Senator Sahabi Ya'u Kaura, who was declared the winner of the contested primary election. The aspirant is challenging the legality of the primary election held for the Zamfara North Senatorial District, alleging that the process was fraught with irregularities and did not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act as well as the party's guidelines. In his lawsuit, Shinkafi is seeking to nullify the declaration of Senator Kaura as the party's candidate for the 2027 election and to order the APC to conduct a fresh primary for the district.
Speaking after the proceedings, counsel to the plaintiff, Bello Galadi, said the matter was brought before the court for the adoption of final written addresses by all parties. Galadi explained that the plaintiff and the three other defendants successfully adopted their respective addresses, following which the court adjourned the matter for judgment. He expressed confidence that the court would deliver a fair and just judgment based on the merits of the case. "Today was set aside for the adoption of final written addresses, and all the parties have adopted their written addresses before the court. The matter has now been adjourned to August 31, 2026, for judgment," he said. The presiding judge, who participated in the proceedings virtually, fixed the judgment date after all parties completed the adoption of their final written submissions.
Shinkafi had earlier explained why he filed the lawsuit, stating that there were no APC primary elections conducted in the Zamfara North district. In an interview with reporters after filing the case at the Federal High Court in Gusau, his counsel, Barrister Bello Galadi, stated that the primary election was marred by irregularities and did not comply with the Electoral Act. "We have just filed a case against the APC and INEC over the injustice that has been meted out to my client. We expect the court to administer justice, rectify the problems, and do what is fair. Our major concern is that there was no primary. We are very much sure. Under Section 84, for a consensus to be valid, two conditions must be met: there must be a written agreement, and it must be endorsed by all aspirants," Galadi said.
The case has been closely watched in Zamfara State, where political tensions have been high following the APC primaries. Senator Sahabi Ya'u Kaura, the incumbent senator and third defendant in the suit, has maintained that the primary election was conducted in line with the party's guidelines and the Electoral Act. His counsel, Barrister J.C. Shaka, had earlier confirmed that all parties in the matter had been duly served with the originating summons and had filed all necessary processes to contest the claims before the court.
The suit has a complex procedural history. The case came up for preliminary proceedings aimed at acquainting the court with the parties and their respective positions, and was subsequently adjourned to June 25, 2026. At the resumed hearing on July 21, 2026, the court considered four pending applications filed by the plaintiff, granting three applications seeking extension of time to file replies to counter-affidavits and preliminary objections filed by INEC and Senator Kaura, including responses to a preliminary objection raised by the third defendant. The fourth application, which seeks leave to appeal and a stay of execution, was adjourned for hearing. The court also declined an application by the defendant seeking to award costs against the plaintiff over the alleged late filing of court processes.
As the judgment date approaches, all parties are awaiting the court's decision, which will determine the fate of the APC senatorial candidate for Zamfara North in the 2027 general election. The outcome of the case could have significant implications for the political landscape in Zamfara State, as well as for the APC's preparations for the upcoming elections. For now, the matter rests in the hands of Justice Hassan Dikko, who will deliver his ruling on August 31, 2026.
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