Shinkafi Challenges INEC's Publication of APC Candidate

Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial District, opposed the Independent National Electoral Commission's (INEC) publication of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Ya’u as the party’s candidate for the district ahead of the 2027 general election. Shinkafi alleged that this publication contravened a Federal High Court judgment delivered on August 31, 2026, which nullified the APC’s senatorial primary election held on May 19, 2026.

The court, presided over by Justice Hassan Dikko, directed the APC to conduct a fresh primary election within 14 days and ordered INEC to accept and publish the name of any candidate emerging from that election. Shinkafi described INEC's action as a violation of a valid court order, potentially undermining public confidence in Nigeria's electoral institutions.

He emphasized that INEC must uphold the credibility of political parties' nomination processes and comply with judicial decisions. A letter from YAS Law Firm, representing Shinkafi, urged INEC to withdraw Ya’u’s name pending the fresh primary election.