Candidates Emerge as APC Holds Reps Primaries Across States

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday conducted House of Representatives primary elections across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, producing both elected and consensus candidates in various federal constituencies.

The primaries, initially scheduled for Friday, were postponed to Saturday and held through direct voting and open ballot systems under the supervision of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Ahead of the exercise, President Bola Tinubu urged party members to avoid violence and internal conflicts during the primaries.

Tinubu warned against “do-or-die” politics and called on aspirants, delegates and party leaders to uphold fairness, sportsmanship and internal democracy.

In Katsina State, Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, son of late former President Muhammadu Buhari, won the APC ticket for Daura Federal Constituency after defeating Auwal Lawal Musa, son of former DSS Director-General Lawal Musa Daura.

In the Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency, Hajiya Jamila Abdu Mani, Special Assistant to Governor Dikko Radda on Girl Child Education and Development, defeated Ahmed Saleh Junior to emerge winner of the primary election.

Chairman of the electoral committee, Shafi’u Abdu Duwan, said Jamila polled 24,989 votes, while her opponent secured 1,256 votes.

Several constituencies in Katsina adopted consensus arrangements, with Hamza Sule Faskari emerging candidate for Kankara/Faskari/Sabuwa Federal Constituency and Usman Murtala Banye emerging for Rimi/Charanchi/Batagarawa.

In Kaduna State, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, emerged unopposed for the Zaria Federal Constituency after delegates from all 13 wards endorsed his bid for a fifth term.

Former lawmaker Samaila Suleiman also won the APC ticket for Kaduna North Federal Constituency after defeating Abdulaziz Kaka with 3,049 votes to 65.

Other winners in Kaduna include Amos Gwamna for Zango Kataf/Jaba and former Commissioner for Public Works Hamza Ibrahim for Soba Federal Constituency.

In Kebbi State, the APC adopted consensus arrangements in several constituencies.

Former lawmaker Bello Yakubu Rilisco emerged candidate for Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza after other aspirants stepped down, while former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega, secured the ticket for Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency.

The consensus arrangement forced out incumbent lawmaker Mansur Musa Jega from retaining the ticket.

Incumbent lawmaker Salisu Garba Koko retained the APC ticket for Koko/Besse/Maiyama Federal Constituency, while former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, emerged candidate for Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski after withdrawing from the Senate race.

However, protests erupted in the Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/Danko Wasagu Federal Constituency after supporters of Bashar Suleman Bajida rejected the emergence of incumbent lawmaker Kabir Ibrahim Tukura as winner.

The protesters accused some party officials of compromise and alleged that aspirants were not properly informed about the exercise.

In Niger State, APC primaries recorded mixed outcomes, with some constituencies adopting consensus candidates while others faced disputes over alleged imposition.

The Gurara/Tafa/Suleja Federal Constituency primary failed to hold following protests against the alleged imposition of the incumbent lawmaker, while disagreements among party members also stalled the Shiroro Federal Constituency exercise.

The APC primaries form part of the party’s preparations for the 2027 general elections as aspirants seek tickets to contest elective offices across the country.