A legal firm, YAS Law Firm, has petitioned the Minister of Defence over alleged professional misconduct and illegal participation in partisan politics by a serving naval officer and other military personnel during the All Progressives Congress, APC, Zamfara North Senatorial District primary election held on November 2, 2026.
The petition, dated 9th November 2026 and acknowledged by the Federal Ministry of Defence, was written on behalf of Dr. Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, a cleared aspirant for the Zamfara North Senatorial seat under the APC.
Addressed to the Minister of Defence, the petition accused Lieutenant Commander Salisu Abdulrahman Umar, Chief Security Officer to the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Muhammad Matawalle, of acting outside his official duties to interfere in the election.
According to the petition, Lt. Commander Umar, alongside other yet-to-be-identified military personnel, allegedly conspired with political actors to secretly manufacture and falsify 42 Ward Result Sheets and the Senatorial District Result Sheet across Shinkafi, Zurmi, Kaura Namoda, and Birnin Magaji Local Government Areas.
The firm alleged that the officer’s actions violated the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Electoral Act 2022, APC Party Guidelines and Constitution, and a subsisting court order.
Not Listed, Yet Mobilized Troops
The petitioners noted that Lt. Commander Umar’s name was not listed in the Zamfara State Commissioner of Police’s “OPERATION ORDER NO.29/DOPS/2026 FOR RERUN PRIMARY ELECTION OF ZAMFARA NORTH SENATORIAL DISTRICT.”
Despite this, they claimed, he mobilized military personnel, armored vehicles and gun trucks to disrupt and rig the election and intimidate voters.
“He aided and abetted Dr Awwal Abdullahi Aliyu – purported Chairman of the Committee of the election and others,” the petition stated.
It further alleged that on November 2, members of the Primary Election Committee conspired with political elements to manufacture fake and fraudulent Ward Result Sheets and the Senatorial District Result Sheet at a command guest house in Gusau, Zamfara State.
Legal Breaches Cited
The petition listed several laws allegedly breached, including Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution which mandates the Armed Forces to remain neutral, and Sections 56 and 91 of the Armed Forces Act which prohibit military personnel from partisan politics and prescribe punishment for scandalous conduct.
It also cited Sections 114 and 136 of the Armed Forces Act on forgery and criminal conspiracy, as well as provisions of the Armed Forces Terms and Conditions of Service which forbid serving personnel from political appointments or serving on election committees.
Other sections referenced include Section 104 of the Armed Forces Act on assault, with the petitioners arguing that the conduct of the officer and his team amounted to gross violation of military discipline.
Demands for Investigation
In its prayers, YAS Law Firm asked the Chief of Defence Staff to direct an immediate military investigation by the Military Police and the Defence Intelligence Agency into the conduct of Lt. Commander Umar.
The firm also requested that a Court-Martial be convened to try the officer if found culpable, and that he be recalled and interdicted from active duty pending the outcome of the investigation.
Evidence Submitted
Attachments to the petition include copies of the purported and manufactured Ward Result Sheets, the Senatorial District Result Sheet, video and photographic evidence, and a copy of the Police Operation Order for the rerun primary.
The petition also provided 14 Facebook video links said to show the officer’s presence and participation during the exercise.
Copies of the petition were sent to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, and Chief of Naval Staff.
The letter was signed by S.Y. Aliyu Esq. of YAS Law Firm, Barristers, Solicitors and Legal Consultants in Abuja.
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