By Ayomide Otitoju
The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday conducted House of Representatives primary elections across several states ahead of the 2027 general elections, producing a mix of elected and consensus candidates amid reports of internal contestations in some constituencies.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier urged party members to avoid infighting and “do-or-die” politics, calling for peaceful conduct and adherence to internal democracy, fairness and sportsmanship during the primaries.
In Katsina State, Yusuf Muhammadu Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, secured the APC ticket for the Daura Federal Constituency after defeating Auwal Lawal Musa, son of former DSS Director-General Lawal Musa Daura.
In Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency, Hajiya Jamila Abdu Mani, Special Assistant to Governor Dikko Radda on Girl Child Education and Development, won the primary with 24,989 votes, defeating Ahmed Saleh Junior, who polled 1,256 votes.
Stakeholders in Kankara/Faskari/Sabuwa and Rimi/Charanchi/Batagarawa constituencies also produced consensus candidates, including former Environment Commissioner Hamza Sule Faskari and Usman Murtala Banye.
In Kaduna State, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, emerged unopposed in Zaria Federal Constituency after 1,376 delegates affirmed his candidacy for a fifth term.
Former lawmaker Samaila Suleiman clinched the Kaduna North ticket with 3,049 votes, while Amos Gwamna and Hamza Ibrahim won in Zango Kataf/Jaba and Soba constituencies respectively.
Several other candidates also emerged victorious across constituencies in the state following concluded primaries.
In Kebbi State, the APC resolved several contests through consensus arrangements. Former lawmaker Bello Yakubu Rilisco emerged candidate for Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza after rival aspirants stepped down.
In Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro, former Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega, clinched the ticket after incumbent Mansur Musa Jega lost out in a consensus arrangement.
Other constituencies produced both returning incumbents and new candidates, including Salisu Garba Koko, Umar Hassan Augie, and Bello Kaoje, while Yusuf Tanko Sununu returned to contest in Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski after withdrawing from the Senate race.
However, the Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/Danko Wasagu Federal Constituency witnessed protests over the emergence of incumbent Kabir Ibrahim Tukura, with some supporters alleging lack of proper consultation and procedural irregularities.
In Niger State, primaries were also held across several constituencies, with a mix of consensus arrangements and contested votes. Some exercises were marred by allegations of imposition and disagreements among party stakeholders.
While some aspirants stepped down in Chanchaga, others competed in Bosso/Paikoro, where six contenders vied for the ticket. Primaries in Gurara/Tafa/Suleja and Shiroro were reportedly disrupted over disputes linked to alleged imposition.
The APC primaries form part of preparations for the 2027 general elections as the party moves to select candidates across federal constituencies nationwide.
