The All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary election in Kaura Namoda Local Government Area of Zamfara State was disrupted on Monday after suspected political thugs attacked two polling centres, triggering panic among voters and other participants.

The incident reportedly occurred at Namoda Model Primary School and the Galadima Dangaladima Ward polling unit, located in front of the Emir’s Palace.

The attacks caused confusion at the affected locations, forcing voters to flee as the electoral exercise was thrown into disarray. Reports also indicated that one person sustained serious injuries during a confrontation involving suspected political thugs.

The violence occurred as voters waited for officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to arrive and supervise the exercise. However, as of 11:30 a.m., electoral officials had reportedly not arrived at the affected polling centres.

The disruption has raised concerns about security and the conduct of the APC’s internal electoral process in Zamfara State, particularly as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections.

Political Rivalry Fuels Tension Over APC Senatorial Ticket

The primary election has attracted considerable attention because of the rivalry between two prominent aspirants seeking the APC senatorial ticket for Zamfara North.

They are incumbent Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura and Senator Tijjani Yahaya Kaura, who reportedly belong to opposing political camps within the party.

Sahabi Ya’u Kaura is associated with the political camp of Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, while Tijjani Yahaya Kaura is backed by the faction loyal to Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State.

Both aspirants reportedly hail from Galadima Dangaladima Ward in Kaura Namoda metropolis, making the contest particularly significant within the local political structure.

The rivalry between the political factions has added to tensions surrounding the party’s nomination process as stakeholders seek to determine who will represent the APC in the Zamfara North Senatorial District.

Kaura Namoda Council Chairman Escapes Attack

In another incident linked to the disruption, the Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area, Mannir Muhammad Haidara, reportedly escaped an attempted lynching after suspected political thugs attacked his vehicle at Namoda Model Primary School.

The attackers allegedly damaged parts of the vehicle during the confrontation.

The incident further heightened security concerns in the area, particularly as political activities surrounding the APC primary continued.

APC Primary Disruption Raises Security Concerns

The reported attacks have drawn attention to the challenges facing the APC’s internal electoral process in Zamfara State.

The absence of INEC officials at the affected polling centres, combined with the reported violence, created uncertainty over the conduct of the primary election.

The development comes amid an ongoing political and legal dispute over the APC’s Zamfara North senatorial ticket. The Court of Appeal in Sokoto had earlier dismissed an appeal by Senator Sahabi Ya’u Kaura and upheld a Federal High Court judgment directing the party to conduct a fresh primary.

The dispute has further complicated the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections, with disagreements among rival political interests continuing to attract attention.