The All Progressives Congress (APC) has concluded its House of Representatives primary elections across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, producing a blend of elected, consensus and unopposed candidates amid pockets of protests and intra-party tension in some constituencies.
The primaries, initially slated for Friday but shifted to Saturday, were conducted through direct voting and open ballot systems in several constituencies and were monitored by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), as aspirants jostled for the party’s tickets in federal constituencies nationwide.
Ahead of the exercise, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had urged aspirants and party stakeholders to shun “do-or-die” politics, warning against internal strife and emphasising fairness, discipline and adherence to internal democracy within the ruling party.
Buhari’s Son Defeats Ex-DSS Chief’s Son in Katsina
In Katsina State, Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, clinched the APC ticket for Daura Federal Constituency after defeating Auwal Lawal Musa, son of former Director-General of the Department of State Services, Lawal Musa Daura, in a keenly contested primary.
In Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency, Hajiya Jamila Abdu Mani, Special Assistant to the Governor on Girl Child Education and Development, recorded a landslide victory, polling 24,989 votes to defeat Ahmed Saleh Junior, who secured 1,256 votes, according to the electoral committee.
Stakeholders in Kankara/Faskari/Sabuwa Federal Constituency later settled for consensus candidate, former Commissioner for Environment, Hamza Sule Faskari, while Rimi/Charanchi/Batagarawa also adopted Usman Murtala Banye as consensus flag bearer.
Speaker Abbas, Others Secure Tickets in Kaduna
In Kaduna State, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, emerged unopposed in Zaria Federal Constituency after 1,376 delegates from 13 wards affirmed his candidature for a fifth term.
Former lawmaker Samaila Suleiman also secured the APC ticket for Kaduna North Federal Constituency after polling 3,049 votes against Abdulaziz Kaka, who scored 65 votes.
Other winners included Amos Gwamna (Zango Kataf/Jaba Federal Constituency) with 1,930 votes, and former Kaduna State Commissioner for Public Works, Hamza Ibrahim, who emerged winner in Soba Federal Constituency with 1,030 votes.
Several other aspirants, including Mukthar Shehu Ladan, Ahmad Muhammad Munir, Benjamin Gugong and others, also clinched tickets across different constituencies in the state.
Kebbi: Consensus Dominates, Incumbents Return
In Kebbi State, the APC primary largely featured consensus arrangements, with former lawmaker Bello Yakubu Rilisco emerging in Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency after some aspirants stepped down.
In Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency, former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega, clinched the ticket following a consensus arrangement that displaced the incumbent.
Incumbent lawmakers such as Salisu Garba Koko (Koko/Besse/Maiyama), Bello Kaoje (Suru/Bagudo) and Rabi’u Garba Kamba (Arewa/Dandi) all returned unopposed or through consensus, while former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, also returned to the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency.
However, the Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/Danko Wasagu Federal Constituency witnessed protests over alleged exclusion of some aspirants, as supporters of Bashar Suleman Bajida rejected the emergence of incumbent Kabir Ibrahim Tukura, accusing party officials of irregularities.
Niger Records Mixed Outcome, Protest in Some Constituencies
In Niger State, the APC primaries produced a mix of consensus arrangements, withdrawals and disputes across constituencies.
In Chanchaga, incumbent Abubakar Audu Buba withdrew from the race, while Bosso witnessed a crowded contest involving six aspirants.
However, tension erupted in Gurara/Tafa/Suleja Federal Constituency, where aggrieved party members protested alleged imposition of a candidate, forcing disruption of the exercise.
A similar development was reported in Shiroro Federal Constituency, where disagreements among stakeholders stalled the conduct of the primary.
Party’s Internal Test Ahead 2027
The APC House of Representatives primaries form part of early preparations for the 2027 general elections, as the ruling party seeks to consolidate its grip on legislative seats across the federation amid ongoing negotiations, consensus-building efforts and internal realignments.
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