APC primaries: Zamfara aspirant accuses Tinubu’s minister of political banditry
An aspirant for the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial ticket in Zamfara North, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has accused the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle of undermining democracy through the alleged imposition of candidates ahead of the party’s primaries.
In a statement issued on Monday, Shinkafi alleged that aspirants for the APC senatorial primaries in Zamfara state were excluded from the process in favour of “anointed aspirants”.
He described the development as “political banditry” and warned that it could hurt the APC’s chances in the 2027 general election in the state.
Shinkafi alleged that Matawalle, alongside past and serving governors from Zamfara, claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed all aspirants to step down for serving senators.
According to him, there was no consultation or meeting before the alleged directive was communicated to aspirants.
Shinkafi said, “Today, Monday, 18th May 2026, the Minister of Defence for State, Bello Matawalle has murdered democracy and shrunk the chances of the All Progressives Congress (APC) of winning the general election in Zamfara State.”
He said Tinubu and Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, APC national chairman, had repeatedly assured party members that the APC would adhere to democratic principles and the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026 in the conduct of primaries.
Shinkafi cited section 84 of the Electoral Act 2026, which provides that political parties shall nominate candidates through direct primaries or consensus arrangements monitored by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He alleged that Matawalle arrived in Zamfara with a private jet alongside former and serving governors to enforce the alleged directive from the president.
Shinkafi said, “This undemocratic order if actually made by Mr President does not comply with the provisions of the Electoral Act 2026.”
The APC aspirant warned that the alleged imposition of candidates could trigger another legal crisis similar to the one that cost the party electoral victories in Zamfara in 2019.
Shinkafi said, “The apex court delivered judgement on 24th May 2019, and upheld the judgement of the Court of Appeal which had invalidated the APC primaries in Zamfara State as well as the elections conducted by INEC and directed INEC to issue certificates of return to the party that came second in the elections.”
He added, “That was how APC lost all the seats it won in the 2019 general election including the governorship.
“The current imposition of candidates by the APC is political banditry and proves to the nation that Bello Matawalle is a political bandit being the arrow head of this assault on our democracy.”
The APC chieftain said he had directed his supporters in Zamfara north not to participate in the senatorial primary exercise.
He alleged that political thugs had been mobilised to disrupt the process and pave the way for the affirmation of consensus candidates.
Shinkafi said, “As a democrat and law abiding citizen, l will not participate in any electoral process that is not in compliance with the provisions of the law. All my supporters should remain calm and stay at home.”
Shinkafi said he was neither consulted nor invited to any meeting on the alleged consensus arrangement.
He said, “I did not withdraw from the senatorial race, did not write any letter that I have stepped down, did not make any private or public statements that I have withdrawn from the primary. This injustice shall not stand. I will challenge my exclusion from Zamfara North Senatorial Primary in Court.”
