Ahead of the scheduled senatorial primary election for Zamfara North, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, an All Progressives Congress (APC) aspirant, has cautioned against electoral infractions and alleged a plot to undermine the process. Shinkafi made these remarks late Saturday during a press briefing at his home in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara State, ahead of the exercise slated for Monday, November 2, 2026.
During the briefing, Shinkafi called on the national leadership of the ruling party to supervise a transparent, credible, and equitable primary. He expressed strong reservations regarding the brief notice given for the election, noting that it fell short of standard administrative procedures.
What were the main concerns raised by the aspirant?
Shinkafi pointed out that the lack of official correspondence addressed directly to him as an aspirant, combined with the rushed timeline, posed serious logistical issues. Furthermore, he highlighted that the prevailing security concerns in the Zamfara North zone necessitate proper planning and extensive consultations with security stakeholders.
Displeased with how party executives managed grievances surrounding the upcoming exercise, Shinkafi disclosed that he reached out to the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, via three text messages after discovering the election schedule posted on social media platforms.
How did he want stakeholders to intervene?
The politician urged the national chairman to collaborate closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and relevant security forces to guarantee thorough preparations. Although he clarified that he harbored no opposition to the scheduled primary itself, he maintained that the exercise must strictly adhere to electoral laws and internal party regulations.
Additionally, Shinkafi called upon the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal, the state party leadership, INEC, and security formations to remain impartial. He emphasized that neutrality from all parties is vital to delivering a credible and widely accepted primary election in the senatorial district.