Senator Sahabi Ya'u Kaura has emerged victorious in the All Progressives Congress (APC) rerun senatorial primary for Zamfara North, securing 49,176 votes. This significant win puts him in a strong position to secure the APC ticket for the Zamfara North Senatorial District ahead of the 2027 general elections. Ya'u's victory was announced by the Chairman of the APC Senatorial Primary Election Committee, Dr. Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, in Gusau on Monday night.
Ya'u's closest challenger, Alhaji Tijjani Yahaya, came second with 9,628 votes, while Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi secured 2,602 votes. The margin of victory for Ya'u over his closest challenger was 39,548 votes, a commanding lead that underscores his popularity within the party. According to Dr. Aliyu, Ya'u met the party's constitutional requirements and guidelines for the primary election, paving the way for his declaration as the winner.
The result represents a significant victory for the incumbent senator, who has secured a strong lead over the two other aspirants in the rerun exercise. Ya'u's emphatic victory has added a new dimension to the party's internal political contest, with attention now turning to efforts to reconcile aggrieved members and consolidate the party's position in the state. This development is expected to have implications for the APC's strategy ahead of the 2027 elections.
However, the outcome has also reignited criticism of former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, among some APC supporters over his handling of the party's affairs. Some party members accused Yari's leadership approach of worsening internal divisions and deepening the political crisis within the Zamfara APC. They argued that the party needed a more inclusive leadership structure anchored on unity, accountability, and collective interest.
The supporters said resolving the divisions would be crucial to strengthening the APC ahead of the 2027 elections. They emphasized the need for a leadership structure that prioritizes the party's overall interest over personal political ambitions. This criticism is likely to add to the challenges facing the APC in Zamfara State as it seeks to present a united front in the upcoming elections.
Ya'u's victory has sparked mixed reactions within the party, with some members hailing his win as a boost to the party's chances in the 2027 elections. Others have expressed concerns about the impact of the rerun on the party's internal cohesion. As the APC begins to prepare for the general elections, the focus is likely to shift to efforts to heal internal divisions and build a stronger party.
The APC will need to address these internal challenges to present a strong challenge to other parties in the 2027 elections. With Ya'u's victory in the rerun, the party's attention will now turn to strategies for strengthening its position in Zamfara North and the state as a whole. The outcome of the rerun has set the stage for a keenly contested election in the senatorial district.
Key points
- Senator Sahabi Ya'u Kaura won the APC rerun senatorial primary for Zamfara North with 49,176 votes.
- Ya'u's victory was announced by Dr. Auwal Abdullahi Aliyu, Chairman of the APC Senatorial Primary Election Committee.
- The outcome has reignited criticism of former Zamfara State Governor, Abdulaziz Yari, over his handling of the party's affairs.
