Onuminya Innocent in Sokoto
The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has nullified the All Progressives Congress (APC) main election for Zamfara North Senatorial District for gross non-compliance with get together tips and the Electoral Act.
The judgment was delivered on Tuesday by Justice Tunde Oyebamiji Awotoye, who upheld the sooner resolution of the Federal High Court, Gusau, which had in August 2026 voided the first election.
Justice Awotoye lambasted the APC for what he described as reckless declaration of Senator Sahabi Ya’u as winner regardless of clear violations of its personal structure and the Electoral Act.
The court docket held that the respondent, Hon. Abdullahi Shinkafi, proved his case past cheap doubt, questioning how a senatorial district with 26,000 registered get together members may return 70,000 votes for an aspirant.
According to the court docket, the figures introduced by the get together confirmed clear over-voting and irregularities that rendered the complete train invalid and liable to be nullified.
Justice Awotoye questioned why the get together management ignored the apparent discrepancies and proceeded to declare a winner in an election that failed primary integrity assessments.
The appellate court docket resolved all seven points formulated for dedication within the attraction in opposition to the appellant, Senator Sahabi Ya’u.
On the preliminary objection bordering on lack of jurisdiction raised by the appellant’s counsel, Popoola, SAN, the court docket held that the respondent had duly exhausted all inside dispute decision mechanisms of the get together earlier than approaching the court docket.
The court docket additionally dismissed the argument on statute bar, holding that the swimsuit was filed inside time and was entertained on its benefit according to extant legal guidelines.
Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the respondent, Bello Galadi, described the choice as a victory for the rule of legislation and democracy.
Galadi stated the judgment would function a deterrent to political events and politicians who undermine inside democracy and violate their very own guidelines.
Also reacting, Hon. Shinkafi thanked the judiciary for residing as much as its billing because the final hope of the frequent man, describing the judgment as freedom from political captivity.
He argued that the judgment was a victory in opposition to marginalisation and extended dominance, noting that Senator Ya’u has spent 16 consecutive years within the Senate whereas Kaura Namoda has monopolised the seat because the return to democracy in 1999.
