APC aspirant drags party to court over alleged imposition of consensus candidate

A senatorial aspirant of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has filed a lawsuit against the party and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged imposition of a consensus candidate for the Zamfara North Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Shinkafi, who is contesting for the APC senatorial ticket in Zamfara North, approached the Federal High Court in Gusau, challenging the outcome of the party’s primary election conducted on May 19, 2026.

The aspirant is seeking the nullification of the emergence of Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura as the APC candidate, arguing that the process violated provisions of the Electoral Act and the party’s constitution.

Speaking through his counsel, Barrister Bello Galadi, Shinkafi alleged that no valid primary election was held in the senatorial district and claimed the consensus arrangement did not follow due legal procedures. According to him, all aspirants were neither consulted nor made to sign any written agreement as required by law for a consensus candidacy.

The APC aspirant further accused some influential party figures in Zamfara State of orchestrating the alleged imposition of candidates, warning that the development could trigger internal crises within the party if not addressed promptly.

Shinkafi also referenced the 2019 Supreme Court judgment that invalidated APC’s participation in Zamfara elections due to irregularities in the party’s primaries, cautioning against a repeat of similar mistakes.

The lawsuit is expected to test the legality of the APC’s primary process in Zamfara North as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections continue to gather momentum.