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From Okwe Obi, Abuja
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Sani Shinkafi, has tasked aspirants for various elective positions in the 2027 general election, to undergo popularity test by contesting credible and valid primaries, no matter their status in Zamfara State APC.
Shinkafi, in a statement, yesterday, said it is to avoid the blunder the party committed in the 2019 and 2023 general elections, which led to its defeat in its stronghold; mistakes that should not recur in future elections.
He aligned with the resolutions of the APC stakeholders’ meeting chaired by Senator Abdul’aziz Yari on November 1, at Talata Mafara that there shall be no imposition of candidates for the 2027 general election.
He urged the party to adhere strictly to its internal democracy, due process, rule of law and tenets of democracy as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, Electoral Act 2022 and INEC guidelines.
He claimed that the Zamfara State APC stakeholders’ meeting, which also endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term, was a strategic initiative to reposition the party for the 2027 general election.
Executive Director of Patriots for the Advancement of Peace and Social Development recalled that ahead of the 2019 general election, the party was engulfed in internal wrangling.
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“During the nomination and submission of candidates to INEC, the party was factionalised, including the G8 faction involving eight governorship aspirants; Senator Kabiru Garba Mafara, General Mansur Danali, former Governor Mahmud Aliyu Shinkafi, Mallam Muhammad Ibrahim Wakkala, Abu Magaji, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu, Aminu Sani Jaji and Dauda Lawal, while Mukhtar Shehu Idris was the favoured aspirant by then Governor Abdul’aziz Yari.
“In the build up to the 2019 general election, APC could not conduct its governorship primaries up to the time of party primaries closure and submission of candidates to INEC.
“The party went ahead to submit Idri’s name as its governorship candidate.
The eight aspirants challenged the imposition of Idris at Zamfara State High Court presided over by Justice Bello Shinkafi, who delivered judgement in Idri’s favour. Senator Mafara and Jaji appealed the judgement at the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division.
“While Jaji withdrew his appeal, Mafara pursued it to the Supreme Court. On May 24, 2019, five days to the swearing in of elected officers, the Supreme Court voided and nullified the elections of APC candidates. The second runners-up were declared winners.
“The apex court declared that Section 84 of the Electoral Act 2010 was grossly violated by the APC. It stated that, “A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold primaries for aspirants to all elective positions,” he added.
