From Premium Times Nigeria · Ogalah Dunamis · · 2m
Kaura wins Zamfara APC senatorial ticket amid violence
Tijjani Kaura wins Zamfara APC senatorial primary after violence disrupts voting.
In brief
Tijjani Kaura wins Zamfara APC senatorial primary after violence disrupts voting. Tijjani Kaura won the APC's Zamfara North senatorial primary rerun following violence at voting centers, defeating incumbent Sahabi Ya’u and former governorship candidate Sani Shinkafi. Originally reported by Premium Times Nigeria.
APC declares Kaura winner
Tijjani Kaura has been declared winner of the APC's rerun senatorial primary in Zamfara North following violence at voting centres and discrepancies in the published results.
Kaura defeats Ya'u and Shinkafi
Kaura defeated incumbent senator Sahabi Ya’u and former governorship candidate Sani Shinkafi in Monday's election, held after the Court of Appeal upheld the nullification of the party's earlier primary.
Vote figures reported
Returning officer Sani Abdullahi announced Kaura polled 16,758 votes, while Ya'u received 1,465 votes and Shinkafi secured 1,447 votes.
Discrepancies in results
The vote figures published after Monday's primary contain discrepancies, weeks after a court nullified the party's earlier election over irregularities.
Violence disrupts voting
Monday's primary was disrupted by suspected political thugs at two voting centres in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area.
Attack on polling units
DAILY TRUST reported that suspected thugs attacked Namoda Model Primary School and the Galadima Dangaladima Ward polling unit near the Emir’s Palace.
Injured person
A confrontation involving suspected thugs left one person seriously injured.
Council chairman escapes
At Namoda Model Primary School, the chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Council, Mannir Muhammad Haidara, reportedly escaped an attack during which suspected thugs damaged his vehicle.
Supporters clash
Supporters reportedly backing Kaura objected to the appeal, accusing the council chairman of taking sides in the contest.
Voting delays
Electoral officials had not arrived at some voting locations by 11:30 a.m., although voters had gathered for the exercise.
Bandit attack report
Reports emerged of a suspected bandit attack on police personnel travelling along the Sokoto, Gusau road to provide security for the primary.
Earlier primary nullified
The rerun followed the nullification of the APC's 1:19 May primary by the Federal High Court in Gusau on 31 August.
Court upheld nullification
The Court of Appeal sitting in Sokoto dismissed Mr Ya'u's appeal and upheld the lower court's decision.
Shinkafi's concerns
Shinkafi raised concerns about preparations for the election, complaining about inadequate notice to aspirants and security arrangements.
Political camps
The two leading aspirants are associated with different political camps within the Zamfara APC.
The short version
Tijjani Kaura won the APC's Zamfara North senatorial primary rerun following violence at voting centers, defeating incumbent Sahabi Ya’u and former governorship candidate Sani Shinkafi.
