Zamfara North: Court adjourns Shinkafi’s suit against APC, INEC, others
By Shuaib Sadiq
Justice Hassan Dikko of the Federal High Court, Gusau Division on Tuesday, adjourned Dr Abdullahi Shinkafi’s suit against the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Independent National Electoral (INEC) and Sen. Sahabi Ya’u to July 28 for final written addresses.
Dikko’s adjournment followed resolutions and rulings on affidavits, counter affidavits and preliminary objections filed by both the plaintiff and respondents in the suit.
It would be recalled that Shinkafi filed the suit contesting the validity of the outcome of the APC May 19 Senatorial primary elections for the Zamfara North Senatorial District.
The outcome produced the third respondent, Sen. Sahabi Ya’u, an incumbent Senator as the party’s candidate for 2027 general elections.
Shinkafi, who was an aspirant in the May 19 APC Primaries filed the suit alleging that the process was marred by irregularities and did not follow INEC guidelines and the electoral Act 2022 as amended .
Bello Galadi counsel to the plaintiff alleged his client was not satisfied with the process as it did not follow the stipulated APC guidelines, alleging that the primary election results were written by the handlers of the exercise.
According to Shinkafi’s Counsel, the case was filed on June 9 challenging the outcome of the APC primary election that produced Senator Sahabi Ya’u (APC Zamfara)as Senatorial Candidate for Zamfara North for the 2027 general elections.
Speaking to journalists shortly after the proceeding, Galadi, said the court granted three applications seeking extension of time to file the plaintiff’s replies to processes filed by INEC and Sen. Sahabi Ya’u Kaura, including responses to a preliminary objection raised by the third defendant.
Galadi explained that the fourth application, which seeks leave to appeal and a stay of execution, was contentious and was consequently adjourned for hearing.
He, however, explained that with the conclusion and rulings on all affidavits and counter affidavits in the preliminary proceedings, he was satisfied with the adjourned date, July 28 for presentation of written addresses.
During the session, Mr J.C. Shaka, representing the third defendant, Sen. Sahabi Ya’u had asked the court to award cost of N2 million to the plaintiff for filing a counter affidavit on the day of hearing of the suit.
He said that no party should serve another party on the day of hearing a suit.
He said the N2 million cost should serve as a deterrent to the plaintiff for filing his response only on the adjourned date.
However, justice Dikko who presided virtually declined awarding the N2 million cost following confirmation from court’s registry that the counter affidavit in question was filed on Monday, July 20 and was within the three days time frame.
Justice Dikko adjourned the case to July 28 for the adoption of written addresses.
