The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has dismissed an appeal by Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura and upheld an earlier judgment ordering the All Progressives Congress (APC) to conduct a fresh senatorial primary election for Zamfara North.
The appellate court affirmed the decision of the Federal High Court in Gusau, which had ruled in favour of Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi over alleged irregularities in the APC primary election for the senatorial district.
Counsel to Shinkafi, Bello Galadi, disclosed the development to journalists shortly after Tuesday’s judgment in Sokoto, stating that the court dismissed the appeal for lack of merit.
According to Galadi, the court resolved all the issues raised by Senator Ya’u, including his challenge to the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court to hear the suit.
He explained that the appellate court upheld the lower court’s authority to adjudicate on the matter and rejected the argument that the burden of proof had been improperly placed on the senator.
Galadi said the court found sufficient evidence to establish non-compliance with the APC’s rules and guidelines governing the conduct of its primary election.
Describing the judgment as a victory for democracy and the rule of law, the lawyer maintained that political officeholders were not above the law and must be held accountable for their actions.
He said the ruling had vindicated his client’s decision to challenge the outcome of the disputed primary through the courts.
Shinkafi had approached the Federal High Court, Gusau, alleging that the APC did not conduct the senatorial primary election in Zamfara North as required and that the process was marred by irregularities.
The trial court subsequently ruled in his favour and directed the party to conduct a fresh primary within 14 days.
Dissatisfied with the decision, Senator Ya’u approached the Court of Appeal to challenge the judgment.
With the appellate court now upholding the lower court’s decision, the order for a fresh primary remains in force.
Reacting to the ruling, Shinkafi described it as a triumph for democracy and called on his supporters across Shinkafi, Birnin Magaji, Zurmi and Kaura Namoda local government areas to remain committed to the pursuit of equitable political representation.
