A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial District seat, Dr Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, has petitioned the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, Rtd, over the alleged involvement of serving military officers in the party's senatorial primary election held on November 2, 2026.
Shinkafi, in the petition, accused some military personnel of engaging in partisan political activities and interfering with the electoral process.
The petition, submitted through his lawyer, Salihu Aliyu, alleged that the military officers participated in manipulating the APC primary conducted following a Court of Appeal judgment directing the party to organise a fresh exercise for all cleared aspirants in the senatorial district.
The APC chieftain claimed military personnel were allegedly deployed to influence the outcome of the election in favour of some preferred aspirant, similar to the alleged interference during the May 28, 2026, primary.
According to Shinkafi, the earlier primary was nullified by the Federal High Court in Gusau and subsequently by the Court of Appeal, Sokoto Division, which ordered a fresh exercise in compliance with the court's directives.
He alleged that the personnel acted as though they were members of the APC Primary Election Committee, working with political actors to manipulate 42 ward result sheets and the senatorial district result sheet across Shinkafi, Zurmi, Kaura Namoda and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas.
Shinkafi further claimed that the military officers were not listed in the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police's Operation Order No. 29/DOPS/2026, which outlined security arrangements for the rerun primary election in Zamfara North Senatorial District.
Despite their alleged absence from the security operation order, the APC aspirant accused the officers of mobilising military personnel, armoured vehicles and gun trucks to disrupt the exercise, intimidate party members and influence the outcome of the primary.
He also alleged that the military personnel worked in collaboration with the primary election committee led by Dr Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu, describing the exercise as fraudulent and claiming that result sheets were manufactured despite the alleged absence of official voting materials at designated centres.
In the petition, Shinkafi's lawyer argued that the alleged actions amounted to professional misconduct, criminal conspiracy, forgery, participation in partisan politics and a violation of the Armed Forces Act and other relevant laws.
The petition cited Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution, which establishes the Armed Forces as a national defence institution, alongside Sections 56 and 91 of the Armed Forces Act, which address disobedience to standing orders and conduct prejudicial to military discipline.
It also referenced Sections 114 and 136 of the Armed Forces Act concerning civil offences committed by military personnel, as well as provisions relating to assault and the Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service.
Consequently, Shinkafi called on the Defence Minister and the Chief of Defence Staff to order an immediate investigation by the Military Police and the Defence Intelligence Agency into the alleged involvement of military personnel in the November 2 exercise.
He further demanded that the personnel be recalled and interdicted from active duty pending the outcome of the investigation, while urging the military authorities to convene a court-martial if the allegations are established.
To support the allegations, the petition reportedly included copies of the disputed ward result sheets, the senatorial district result sheet, video and photographic evidence, as well as the police operation order for the rerun primary.
The lawyer also provided 14 links to videos and other materials said to show the alleged participation of the military personnel in the exercise.
The petition, dated November 9, 2026, was submitted and acknowledged on November 10. Copies were also forwarded to the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff for their attention.
Shinkafi maintained that the alleged interference undermined the integrity of the APC's internal electoral process and insisted that the party's members in Zamfara North must have their mandate respected.
He also called for accountability, arguing that military personnel must remain politically neutral and should not use their positions or access to security resources to influence party elections. He urged the authorities to take appropriate disciplinary action against anyone found culpable.
Zamfara North: APC chieftain alleges alleged military interference in senatorial primary