Three leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Zamfara State have approached the State High Court in Gusau to challenge their suspension from the party after attending a stakeholders meeting of the Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Front on November 11.
The suit was filed by Babangida Aliyu Shinkafi, APC Chairman of Shinkafi South Ward; Kabiru Ibrahim, Welfare Secretary of APC Shinkafi Local Government; and Ibrahim DD Kurya, representative of Persons With Disabilities in Shinkafi Local Government.
They are suing the APC, the Zamfara State APC Chairman, Alhaji Tukur Danfulani Maikatako Gusau, and the APC Chairman of Shinkafi Local Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Bama Shinkafi.
The suspended party leaders are asking the court to declare them bona fide members of the APC and to rule that any attempt to suspend, expel, intimidate, harass or terminate their membership is “unconstitutional, illegal, unlawful, null and void.”
According to a statement issued by the Chairman of the Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Front, Yushau Abdullahi Mada, the plaintiffs are also seeking:
A perpetual injunction restraining the defendants or their agents from taking further steps to suspend, expel or harass them.
An order directing maintenance of the status quo, halting all actions related to their suspension pending the determination of the case.
The aggrieved executives said they were duly elected during the APC congresses of 2022 and that their tenures remain valid.
They described themselves as loyal members of the political camp of Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, leader of the Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Front.
They alleged that their suspension was orally pronounced by the Shinkafi Local Government APC chairman, Ibrahim Bama Shinkafi, without any written query, justifiable reason or opportunity to defend themselves, in alleged violation of the APC constitution.
All efforts to stop the suspension internally, they said, had failed, compelling them to seek judicial intervention.
Their suit, filed by Bello Idris Galadi and Associates, is dated November 14, 2025.
Mada noted that the Zamfara APC has remained in turmoil since losing the 2019 and 2023 governorship elections to the Peoples Democratic Party.
He blamed recurring crises on the imposition of candidates, arbitrary suspensions, expulsions and marginalisation of party leaders.
He added that party stakeholders met on November 1 at Talata Mafara, the country home of former governor and Zamfara APC leader, Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, to deliberate on lingering issues. The meeting was attended by party elders as well as state, local government and ward executives.
He said, “The meeting unanimously resolved to endorse Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the consensus candidate of the party for the 2027 presidential election. It also resolved that the party would not impose any candidates for elections and assured of free, fair and credible congresses and primaries for all aspirants in line with the Electoral Act 2022, INEC guidelines and regulations, and APC electoral guidelines.
“Stakeholders however endorsed consensus option where all aspirants voluntarily stepdown for a particular aspirant, in that case delegates would elect the candidate by affirmation.
“In view of this, Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Front, a group established by the former All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) national secretary and governorship candidate in Zamfara State, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, presently a chieftain of APC with structures across the 14 local government areas, 147 electoral wards and all polling units in Zamfara State, held a stakeholders meeting on 11th November 2025, where it endorsed Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the APC consensus candidate for the 2027 presidential election, unanimously adopted Senator Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari as the APC leader in Zamfara State and opposed the imposition of candidates in future elections which led to the defeat of the party by PDP in 2019 and 2023 gubernatorial polls.
“It is evident that Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Front has been in the vanguard for inclusive politics in Zamfara State in tandem with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda with a view to strengthening the party in the state. A divided party cannot win any elections which has been the case with Zamfara State APC.
“While efforts are being made for reconciliation, unity, peace and membership drive, we were shocked that some members of the party loyal to Wamban Shinkafi were arbitrarily suspended without recourse to the party constitution including Sirajo Yusuf Wali, Birnin Yero Ward Publicity Secretary, aside Hon. Babangida Aliyu Shinkafi, Chairman Shinkafi Ward, Kabiru Ibrahim, Welfare Secretary, Shinkafi Local Government and Ibrahim DD Kurya, representing People With Disabilities (PWD).
“It is unjust to punish fellow party members for attending a stakeholders meeting of the party duly convened for its progress.
“The purported suspension was a directive from the Zamfara State APC Chairman, Tukur Umar Danfulani Maikatako Gusau, who in turn was directed by the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle who equally held a stakeholders meeting where Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu was also adopted as the consensus candidate for 2027 presidential election.
“Our members who were unlawfully suspended have to approach the court for redress as the temple of justice and last hope of all aggrieved persons.
“Wamban Shinkafi Democratic Front is unwavering in its commitment for democracy, due process, rule of law and success of APC in future elections in Zamfara State. We shall not be distracted by activities of detractors and reactionary forces that do not mean well for our great party.
“It is in the interest of justice that all parties in the suit should stay action and await the determination of the matter by a court of competent jurisdiction.
“We therefore urge party faithful to close ranks and work together to build a stronger and more vibrant APC, and prosperous Zamfara State.”
