POLITICS
APC Rerun Ends In Chaos As Sahabi, Tijjani Claim Victory
APC Rerun Ends In Chaos As Sahabi, Tijjani Claim Victory
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara North is back to where it started.
A court-ordered rerun primary held on Monday, November 2, 2026, to resolve the crisis over the party’s senatorial ticket has produced two winners, two result sheets, and a fresh threat of litigation that could once again cost the APC the seat.
The rerun was for Zamfara North Senatorial District — Birnin Magaji, Shinkafi, Kaura Namoda and Zurmi— ahead of the January 16, 2027 National Assembly election.
Instead of producing one candidate, it produced two.
The Two Results
The Chairman’s Result — Sahabi Wins
Every second brings Nigerians closer to exercising their democratic right and shaping the future of our nation.
Exercise your democratic right responsibly, peacefully and lawfully.
The Chairman of the APC Zamfara North Senatorial District Primary Election Committee, Dr. Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, declared incumbent Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura winner in Gusau on Monday night.
According to Aliyu, Sahabi Ya’u Kaura got 49,176 votes, Tijjani Yahaya Kaura — 9,628 votes and Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi 2,602 votes(in an earlier announcement, 6,206 votes was quoted, but the LGA breakdown totals 2,602)
Channel
LGA Breakdown for Sahabi:Kaura Namoda — 21,689, Zurmi — 19,017, Shinkafi — 3,815, Birnin Magaji — 4,655
Aliyu said Sahabi had “satisfied the requirements of the law and the APC primary election guidelines” and described the exercise as credible and acceptable to all.
The Returning Officer’s Result : Tijjani Wins
Hours later, another declaration emerged.Committee member / Returning Officer, Sani Abdullahi, declared former Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura winner.
According to Abdullahi:Tijjani Yahaya Kaura — 16,758 votes-Sahabi Ya’u Kaura — 1,465 votes-Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi — 1,447 votes
He said 23,257 were registered, 19,608 accredited, and 19,492 valid votes cast.
But even Tijjani’s figures do not add up. The three aspirants total 19,670 votes — 178 more than the 19,492 valid votes he announced, and 62 more than the 19,608 accredited voters.
Tijjani, speaking from his home in Kaura Namoda, insists his declaration is authentic, that the majority of committee members collated it, and that the Chairman was “hijacked / abducted and taken to an unknown destination” to announce a fake result single-handedly.
The Man Who Went To Court Rejects The Rerun Too
The irony of the rerun is that the man who forced it has now rejected it.Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, whose court case caused the rerun, told journalists in Gusau that the November 2 exercise was an “orchestrated administrative ambush” and a “fabrication of phantom results.”
His allegations:No original result sheets, no party registers — only photocopied sheets brought to unauthorised venues after members dispersed, No accreditation, no biometric / membership card verification, Venues changed without notice, conflicting timelines,v Armed actors / irregular security hijacked centres, gunshots dispersed his supporters, Results collated secretly without his agents, copies not given, Exercise conducted by unauthorised LG Collation Officers not appointed by the NWC, No consensus with anyone, dismisses rumour of a deal with Tijjani
He has now petitioned the APC National Working Committee (NWC), demanded immediate nullification, no transmission of any name to INEC, a fresh transparent primary monitored by INEC, and threatened fresh court action against Sahabi and Tijjani if ignored.
Recall that this crisis did not start on November 2. It is a repeat of a familiar Zamfara story.
May 19, 2026: APC held its first primary for Zamfara North. Sahabi was declared winner. Shinkafi rejected it and went to court, alleging irregularities and non-compliance with party guidelines.
August 31, 2026: The Federal High Court, Gusau, in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/6/2026, nullified the May 19 primary and ordered a fresh primary.
October 20, 2026: The Court of Appeal, Sokoto, dismissed Sahabi’s appeal and upheld the nullification. It ordered APC to conduct a fresh primary within a stipulated period.
November 2, 2026: APC conducted the rerun. It ended with two winners.
Behind the legal battle is a deeper political war that has defined Zamfara APC for years:
Sahabi Ya’u Kaura is associated with the camp of former Governor and Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle.
Tijjani Yahaya Kaura is linked to the camp of former Governor Abdul’aziz Yari, who is the Director-General of the APC Presidential Campaign Council.
The NWC under National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda sent the committee to Zamfara, but the committee split into two. As at press time, the party has not issued a definitive clarification on which result is authentic.
There was also violence. Thugs attacked Namoda Model Primary School and Galadima Dangaladima Ward in Kaura Namoda after the council chairman allegedly urged delegates to support Sahabi.
Why It Matters: The Ghost Of 2019
If APC sends the wrong name to INEC, the party risks losing Zamfara North again — just like it did in 2019.
In 2019, the Supreme Court nullified all APC victories in Zamfara — governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly — because the party failed to conduct valid primaries. The PDP, which lost at the polls, was declared winner across the board.
That history is why INEC’s next move matters. INEC had earlier published Sahabi’s name from the nullified primary — a move Shinkafi had already faulted. The question now is: What name is currently on INEC’s list, and will INEC accept a name from a disputed primary before the January 16, 2027 election?
When contacted Information Officer Gazzali Abubakar of INEC office Zamfara revealed that the incumbent Senator Sahabi Ya’u appealed to the Supreme Court for redress so it’s a court matter.APC Publicity Secretary Zamfara Mallam Ibrahim Mohamed didn’t also respond to his calls.
However, an insider with INEC who pleaded anonymity, said that the matter is very sensitive so no body will talk on till APC National Chairman gives directives
What Next:Shinkafi has given the NWC an ultimatum: nullify the rerun, conduct a fresh transparent primary, or face fresh litigation.
Tijjani insists he is the authentic winner and will defend his mandate.
Sahabi’s camp insists the Chairman’s declaration is final and that the party should forward his name to INEC.
Until the NWC speaks, Zamfara North has two winners, one ticket, and no candidate.
We’ve got the edge. Get real-time reports, breaking scoops, and exclusive angles delivered straight to your phone. Don’t settle for stale news. Join LEADERSHIP NEWS on WhatsApp for 24/7 updates →
DO YOU WANT TO WHISTLEBLOW, REPORT FRAUD, THEFT OR INJUSTICE OR INTIMIDATION? SEND US YOUR STORY/REPORT TO NEWSDESK@MEDIATODAY.NG
