The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Borno State has successfully concluded its primary elections for the House of Representatives across nine out of its ten federal constituencies, paving the way for the party’s flag bearers in the forthcoming general elections. This critical internal party exercise saw candidates emerge through a blend of consensual agreements, direct primaries, and unopposed voice affirmations, reflecting the party’s varied approaches to selecting its representatives. However, a cloud of uncertainty looms over the Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, where the primary election results have been declared inconclusive following a formal petition by an aggrieved aspirant.
The comprehensive internal party elections, meticulously conducted across local government areas and 312 electoral wards within the state, were overseen by a dedicated seven-man committee dispatched by the APC National Working Committee (NWC). This crucial body, led by its Chairman and Returning Officer, Mr. Jones Erue, and ably supported by the Committee Secretary, Mr. Mobolaji Omobowale, bore the responsibility of ensuring a credible and transparent process. While much of Borno witnessed peaceful turnouts and seamless selections, the Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency experienced a hitch that necessitated the suspension of its final decision.
Addressing members of the press in Maiduguri, Mr. Erue confirmed that the committee had received specific complaints from one of the contenders in the Askira-Uba/Hawul race, Comrade Audu Garba Zali. These grievances, he noted, were significant enough to warrant putting the results on hold. Consequently, the committee announced that no winner would be declared for that particular constituency until the party’s Appeals Committee has thoroughly reviewed and processed the petition. This means the coveted candidate slot for Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency officially remains vacant, awaiting the resolution of the appeal process. “The House of Representatives primary elections were successfully conducted and concluded across nine out of ten federal constituencies in a peaceful, transparent, and highly commendable manner,” Mr. Erue stated, before adding, “However, at the Askira-Uba/Hawul Federal Constituency, complaints were received from one of the aspirants, Comrade Audu Garba Zali. Therefore, our committee shall wait for the report of the Appeals Committee before results are announced.”
The ruling party meticulously followed a selection framework that incorporated various methodologies permitted under Article 20 of its own Constitution, alongside Sections 84, 86, and 87 of the Electoral Act, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence. This pragmatic approach saw the emergence of candidates through consensus arrangements and voice affirmations in seven constituencies, while two other federal constituencies witnessed a more competitive direct polling process, allowing party members at the grassroots to directly elect their preferred candidates.
In the highly sought-after Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC) Federal Constituency, the incumbent lawmaker, Honourable Abdulkadir Rahis, comfortably secured his party’s ticket, demonstrating his enduring popularity by garnering an impressive 38,576 votes. Similarly, in the Bama/Ngala/Kala Balge Federal Constituency, Mr. Mustapha Abdullahi secured a clear mandate from party faithful, polling a significant 20,509 votes to emerge victorious.
Beyond the direct contests, several prominent political figures advanced unopposed, signaling strong party unity or strategic alignment. In the Biu/Bayo/Kwaya Kusar/Shani Federal Constituency, the influential federal lawmaker and current Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, Honourable Muktar Aliyu, sailed through via affirmation, underscoring his political clout. Likewise, Mr. Bukar Talba secured the party’s ticket unopposed to represent the Marte/Monguno/Nganzai Federal Constituency.
The consensus arrangement also proved effective in five other key constituencies. Among these was the Dikwa/Konduga/Mafa Federal Constituency, where Mr. Kaumi Zulum, a brother to the incumbent Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, secured the APC ticket through affirmation. The other successful candidates who emerged via consensus include Hajia Fati Monguno for Mobbar/Guzama/Abadam/Kukawa, Mr. Usman Zana for Magumeri/Kaga/Gubio, Mr. Ahmed Jaha for Gwoza/Chibok/Damboa, and Mr. Satomi Ahmed for Jere.
The supervising panel underscored the legitimacy of the entire exercise, confirming that both the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and various security agencies had closely monitored the proceedings across the state. In their concluding remarks, the committee expressed profound satisfaction with the conduct, stating, “The committee is fully satisfied that the entire exercise was conducted in strict compliance with the Electoral Act, the Constitution of the Party, and approved guidelines. The process was adjudged to be free, fair, credible, transparent, and generally acceptable across the state.” While the resolution for Askira-Uba/Hawul remains pending, the party now looks ahead, with its newly affirmed candidates poised to intensify campaigns for the general elections.
Originally sourced from Premium Times. This article has been rewritten for our readers.
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