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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 APC Zamfara State.
Shinkafi, in a statement yesterday, said it is to avoid the blunder the party made in the 2019 and 2023 general elections that 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 1 November 2025 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 wranglings.
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“During the nomination and submission of candidates to INEC, the party was factionalised including G8 Faction involving eight governorship aspirants – Senator Kabiru Garba Mafara, General Mansur Dan’Ali, former Governor Mahmud Al’yu Shinkafi, Mallam Muhammad Ibrahim Wakkala, Abu Magaji, Alhaji Sagir Hamidu, Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji and Dauda Lawal, while Hon. 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 for closure of party primaries and submission of candidates to INEC.
“The party went ahead to submit the name of Mukhtar Shehu Idris 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 favour of Mukhtar Shehu Idris. Senator Kabiru Garba Mafara and Hon. Aminu Sani Jaji appealed the judgement at the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division.
“While Jaji withdrew his appeal, Kabiru Garba Mafara pursued it to Supreme Court. On 24 May 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 APC. It states that, ‘A political party seeking to nominate candidates for elections under this Act shall hold primaries for aspirants to all elective positions,’” he added.
