Court nullifies APC primaries

Justice Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court, Gusau Division, on Monday, nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) primaries for Zamfara North and ordered fresh election within 14 days.
Dikko gave the order in a judgement on the suit filed by Dr Abdullahi Shinkafi’s suit against the APC, the Independent National Electoral (INEC) and Sen. Sahabi Ya’u of APC Zamfara North.
Shinkafi had filed the suit contesting the validity of the outcome of the APC May 19 Senatorial primary elections for the Zamfara North Senatorial District.
He had accused the APC of declining to follow the Party’s constitution and its guidelines in the May 19 direct primaries for the senatorial seat.
Shinkafi had alleged that the process was marred by irregularities and did not follow INEC guidelines and the electoral Act 2022 as amended
Shinkafi had joined the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the APC and Sen. Ya’u in the suit.
Dikko in the judgement said the court, based on evidence before it, ruled in favour of the plaintiff.
He ruled that the APC did not follow its Constitution and INEC guidelines in the Zamfara North Senatorial primary election.
He, therefore, ordered fresh primaries for the seat within 14 days.
Dikko said the court based its judgement on the resolutions and rulings on affidavits, counter affidavits and preliminary objections filed by both the plaintiff and respondents in the suit.
It also followed the final addresses by counsel to all parties in the dispute.
Meanwhile, Bello Galadi counsel to the plaintiff expressed satisfaction with the judgement, adding that his client was ready for the fresh conduct of the Senatorial primaries within 14 days.
On his part, Mr Musbau Salauddeen, Counsel to Sen. Sahabi Ya’u, said while he consults with the client on the judgement, the outcome still gave the senator a window for fresh primaries.
He said there was hope for the senator to participate in the fresh primaries as directed by the Federal High Court.
Meanwhile, reacting to the judgement, Shinkafi described the judgement as a victory for democracy and the rule of law.
Shinkafi urged the national leadership of the APC to conduct the fresh primary in strict compliance with the Electoral Act and the party’s guidelines.
He said the decision had reaffirmed the judiciary as the last hope of the common man, particularly for those seeking legal redress when their rights were allegedly violated.
He called on the APC and other political parties to strictly adhere to their constitutions, internal guidelines and relevant electoral laws when conducting party primaries.
Shinkafi cautioned political parties against actions capable of undermining democratic processes, urging aggrieved members to seek legal redress rather than resorting to violence or other unlawful means.