Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a prominent aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial seat, has vocally accused the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State of systematically excluding duly cleared aspirants. He alleges that this exclusion is being done in favor of “anointed” candidates, just ahead of the party’s highly anticipated senatorial primary election scheduled for today. Shinkafi vehemently described this process as an “imposition of candidates and political banditry,” emphasizing that the internal selection process has been marred by a severe lack of transparency and consultation with key stakeholders.

Shinkafi’s allegations extend further, claiming that the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, arrived in Zamfara State via a private jet. He was reportedly accompanied by a contingent of past and present governors, all purportedly present to enforce a contentious directive. This directive, according to Shinkafi, mandates the withdrawal of certain aspirants from the race to pave the way for serving senators. He stated that the affected aspirants were informed that President Bola Tinubu himself had issued an order for all senatorial aspirants to step down for sitting senators in anticipation of the primaries, which are officially slated for May 19, 2026.

A critical point of contention raised by Shinkafi is the complete absence of any meeting or consultation with the aspirants before this alleged directive was communicated. He firmly asserted that such an “undemocratic order,” if it indeed originated from the President, stands in direct violation of the provisions outlined in the Electoral Act 2026. Specifically, Shinkafi cited Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2026, which unequivocally mandates political parties to conduct primaries for all elective positions. These primaries, he highlighted, must be executed either through direct primaries or consensus arrangements, with the entire process being rigorously supervised and monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Shinkafi further clarified his personal stance, insisting that he was neither consulted regarding any withdrawal nor did he ever withdraw from the senatorial race. He also confirmed that he did not submit any formal letter indicating his intention to step down from the contest. In a direct appeal to his constituents, Shinkafi urged his supporters across Zamfara North to actively boycott what he termed an “affirmation exercise,” expressing serious concerns that political thugs had been mobilized with the intent to disrupt the primaries. He concluded by unequivocally vowing to challenge his exclusion through legal channels, stating, “I will challenge my unlawful exclusion from Zamfara North Senatorial Primary in court.” He issued a stern warning that the current situation bears an alarming resemblance to the political crisis that engulfed Zamfara State in 2019. During that period, severe internal disputes within the APC ultimately led to the Supreme Court nullifying the party’s primaries, which consequentially resulted in victory being awarded to the opposition in the general election.