Abdullahi Shinkafi, an All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial aspirant for Zamfara North, says he will challenge his alleged exclusion from the party’s senatorial primaries in court.

Mr Shinkafi made the declaration at a press conference in Gusau on Tuesday, saying that the injustice would not stand.

The APC chieftain expressed dissatisfaction over what he described as his deliberate exclusion from the ongoing primary election.

He alleged that some top politicians in the state influenced decisions that undermined internal democracy within the APC.

Mr Shinkafi warned that such actions could weaken the party’s chances in the forthcoming general elections in Zamfara.

He recalled that President Bola Tinubu had repeatedly emphasised the need to uphold democratic principles and the rule of law, “particularly in line with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 governing the nomination of candidates.”

He also cited the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who said the party would adopt direct primaries where consensus arrangements fail, to prevent the imposition of candidates.

“There was no meeting or consultation for this arbitrary order, which contradicts earlier statements made by the President and the National Chairman of our great party.

“If this undemocratic directive actually came from Mr President, it does not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026,” he added.

Mr Shinkafi referenced Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2026, which mandates political parties to conduct primaries for aspirants seeking elective offices, either through direct primaries or consensus agreed upon by all parties.

He said the alleged directive asking aspirants to step down for incumbent senators was issued without consultation and contradicts both the law and earlier assurances by party leaders.

He warned that the situation mirrors the events leading to the 2019 Zamfara APC Supreme Court judgment, where internal disputes over primaries led to the nullification of the party’s electoral victories in the state.

“If not reversed, the current approach could jeopardise the party’s electoral prospects again,” he said, stressing that adherence to the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the APC constitution was critical.

Mr Shinkafi also alleged the mobilisation of political thugs to disrupt the process and enforce the adoption of “anointed” candidates, describing it as a threat to democracy.

He said he had not withdrawn from the race nor consented to any consensus arrangement, insisting that he was not consulted at any stage.

The aspirant urged his supporters across Zamfara North to boycott what he called an “undemocratic affirmation process,” while calling on them to remain calm and law-abiding.

Mr Shinkafi reiterated his commitment to seeking redress in court, stressing that the rule of law must prevail in party primaries.

At least seven aspirants, including the incumbent Senator Sahabi Ya’u, have picked the APC nomination forms for the Zamfara North senatorial seat.

(NAN)