Appeal Court reserves judgment on Zamfara North APC senatorial primary

The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto has reserved judgment in an appeal challenging the outcome of the All Progressives Congress, APC, senatorial primary election for Zamfara North.

Bello Galadi, counsel to the first respondent, Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, disclosed this on Tuesday after the court proceedings.

The case came up for the adoption of written briefs of argument by the parties.

Galadi said the respondents had filed their reply to the appellant’s brief within the period stipulated by the court rules, while the appellants subsequently filed a reply on points of law.

He said he adopted the respondent’s brief on behalf of Shinkafi, after which the court adjourned the case for judgment.

According to him, the court did not fix a date for the judgment but would communicate the date to the parties when it is ready.

Shinkafi, who is challenging the APC primary, expressed confidence that the Court of Appeal would uphold the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the primary election.

The Federal High Court in Gusau had earlier nullified the APC senatorial primary conducted for Zamfara North and ordered a fresh exercise.

Shinkafi said documentary evidence presented before the lower court established alleged non-compliance with the Electoral Act and APC guidelines for conducting the primary.

The appeal was filed by Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura.