APC Primary Crisis Deepens in Zamfara as Excluded Aspirant Petitions Nentawe Yilwatda

An aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial District ticket on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Alhaji Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has petitioned the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, over what he described as the imposition of Senator Sahabi Alhaji Yau as the sole candidate and his exclusion from the primary election.

In a letter signed and made available to Newsmen Dr, Shinkafi appeal, accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, former Governor Senator Ahmed Rufai Sani, Alhaji Mamuda Aliyu Shinkafi, and Governor Dauda Lawal of orchestrating the process in violation of the 1999 Constitution, the Electoral Act 2026, and the APC constitution.

Shinkafi alleged that on Monday, 18th May 2026, Matawalle “murdered democracy” in Zamfara State by announcing that all Senate aspirants must withdraw for serving senators ahead of the primaries scheduled for Tuesday, 19th May 2026.

He said the directive was issued upon Matawalle’s arrival at Gusau International Airport with past and serving governors, claiming it was an order from President Bola Tinubu, without any prior meeting or consultation with other aspirants.

The aspirant argued that the action contradicted President Tinubu’s public stance that the APC would uphold democratic principles and the rule of law in candidate selection, and would not impose candidates indiscriminately.

Shinkafi also cited Prof. Yilwatda’s earlier statement that the party would conduct direct primaries where consensus arrangements fail, to avoid imposing unpopular candidates ahead of the general election.

Referencing Sections 84 to 87 of the Electoral Act 2026, he maintained that political parties must hold primaries for all elective positions, either through direct primaries or consensus backed by written consent of all cleared aspirants.

He stressed that where consensus cannot be secured, the law mandates a reversion to direct primaries, followed by a ratification convention at the appropriate level.

Shinkafi stated that he was never consulted, did not withdraw from the race, and did not submit any letter stepping down or publicly endorse the so-called consensus arrangement.

He warned that the current economic hardship and insecurity in Zamfara, combined with what he called the “undemocratic attitude” of Matawalle and his allies, could jeopardize the APC’s chances in the 2026 general election.

The aspirant drew parallels with the 2019 Zamfara crisis, where the Supreme Court nullified all APC victories in the state after internal disputes over candidate imposition led to the courts ruling that no valid primaries were held.

He said the party lost the governorship and all legislative seats after the apex court directed INEC to issue certificates of return to the runners-up.

Shinkafi described the current move as “political banditry” and labeled Matawalle the arrowhead of the assault on internal democracy within the APC in Zamfara.

He said he had instructed his supporters in Zamfara North Senatorial District not to participate in what he termed the “illegal affirmation” of anointed candidate, citing the mobilization of political thugs to disrupt the process.

The aspirant declared that he would challenge his exclusion in court, insisting he would not participate in any electoral process that does not comply with the law.

Dr, Shinkafi appealed to the APC national leadership to intervene immediately to prevent a repeat of the 2019 outcome and restore confidence in the party’s democratic processes in Zamfara State.