The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday concluded its House of Representatives primaries in a number of states forward of the 2027 basic elections.
Saturday’s train produced a mixture of consensus candidates, high-profile victories, and controversies starting from violence to allegations of candidate imposition and illegal detention.
The primaries, initially scheduled for Friday, have been shifted to Saturday and fashioned a part of the ruling celebration’s preparations for the subsequent elections.
Whereas many constituencies produced clear winners, the train was overshadowed by disputes in states like Ondo, Ekiti, Katsina, and Niger.
READ ALSO: Amaewhule, Dekor, Other Wike Loyalists Win APC Reps Primaries In Rivers
Ondo Attraction Course of For Aggrieved Aspirants
In Ondo State, the APC invited dissatisfied aspirants to submit their complaints to the celebration’s Major Attraction Committee.
In a press release issued on Sunday, the State Secretary, Alex Kalejaye, stated the committee would sit on the celebration secretariat alongside Olu Obasanjo Street in Akure to listen to petitions from aggrieved House of Representatives aspirants.
“The celebration urges aspirants to benefit from the supply of the Attraction Committee, put in place for the aim of truthful play and justice, to current their complaints,” the assertion learn.
Kalejaye stated the committee would stay on the secretariat till all complaints had been addressed “within the curiosity of equity and unity of the fold”.
Ekiti Ballot Declared Inconclusive Over Violence
It was the same scenario in Ekiti State, the place the APC declared the first election in Oye/Ikole Federal Constituency inconclusive following violence in some voting centres.
The Chairman of the Nationwide Meeting Major Election Committee, Asipa Wasiu, stated the method couldn’t be accomplished as a result of “pockets of disaster” and that the APC Nationwide Working Committee (NWC) would decide the subsequent plan of action.
“As we’re all conscious, we’ve got six federal constituencies in Ekiti. However the concern in Ekiti North One, which contains Oye and Ikole, goes to be dealt with by the Nationwide Working Committee of the celebration,” he stated.
Wasiu urged celebration members and stakeholders to await additional directives from the NWC.
Regardless of the disruption, winners emerged in 5 different constituencies.
Incumbent lawmaker Steve Olusola Fatoba received the Ekiti Central I ticket with 8,943 votes.
Oladapo Karounwi defeated incumbent Abiodun Omoleye in Ekiti Central II, polling 6,573 votes to 2,096.
In Ekiti South I, Okoro Toyin Zaccheaus scored 9,798 votes to defeat incumbent Rufus Adeni Ojuawo, who polled 1,842 votes.
Incumbent Richard Bamisile retained the Ekiti South II ticket with 4,379 votes, whereas Ibrahim Olanrewaju defeated incumbent Kolawole Akinlayo in Ekiti North II by 6,856 votes to 2,102.
Wike’s Allies Dominate Rivers Primaries
In Rivers State, a number of politicians aligned with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, secured APC tickets.
Among the many winners was Martins Amaewhule, Speaker of the Rivers State House of Meeting, who clinched the Obio/Akpor Federal Constituency ticket with 17,968 votes.
Incumbent lawmaker Dumnamene Dekor retained the Gokana/Khana ticket, defeating Israel Ngbuelo by 17,073 votes to 1,220.
Different profitable candidates included Solomon Bob, Frederick Apiafi, Igwe Treasured, Blessing Amadi, Cyril Hart, Isobo Jack, Felix Nwaeke, Victor Obuzor, Chibuzor Nwamaka, Nyebuchi Pleasure, and Linda Stewart.
Saying the leads to Port Harcourt, Chairman of the Election Committee, Wahab Owokoniran, stated the train was performed peacefully regardless of fears of violence.
“I need to let the world know that the election was performed in a peaceable environment. We didn’t expertise any type of rancour, infighting, or any drawback in anyway,” he stated.
Plateau Upset
In the meantime, in Plateau, a serious political upset emerged within the primaries as incumbent lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi didn’t safe the celebration’s ticket for one more time period.
Gagdi, who represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency within the House of Representatives, was defeated by John Tonshinen within the carefully contested major election.
Tonshinen polled 299,968 votes to emerge victorious, whereas Gagdi scored 5,849 votes. One other aspirant, Hopar Gopbia, obtained 5 votes.
Ebonyi Primaries Performed Peacefully
In Ebonyi State, Governor Francis Nwifuru described the primaries as peaceable and orderly.
Addressing issues over members who resigned to pursue political ambitions, the governor stated their choices have been in keeping with democratic rules.
“Those that are contesting are performing in keeping with democratic beliefs,” he stated. “Our pleasure is that at the moment’s train went as deliberate and as anticipated. It was very peaceable and calm.”
Among the many winners have been Chinedu Ogah (Ikwo/Ezza South), Iduma Igariwey (Afikpo/Edda), and Nkemkanma Kama (Ohanivo Federal Constituency).
Katsina Aspirant Alleges Detention
In Katsina State, a former aspirant for the Mani/Bindawa Federal Constituency, Ahmed Saleh, alleged that safety operatives detained him for greater than 24 hours to stop him from collaborating within the major election.
Saleh claimed the detention was carried out on the directive of Governor Dikko Umaru Radda.
Regardless of his absence, he secured 1,256 votes, whereas the governor’s Particular Adviser on Woman Youngster Training and Youngster Improvement, Jamila Mani, received the competition with 24,989 votes.
Different Key Victories Nationwide
Throughout the nation, a number of notable politicians additionally emerged as APC candidates.
In Katsina, Yusuf Buhari, son of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari, received the Daura Federal Constituency ticket.
In Kaduna State, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas secured the Zaria Federal Constituency ticket unopposed.
Former lawmaker Samaila Suleiman received the Kaduna North ticket, whereas a number of different candidates emerged throughout the state.
In Kebbi State, former Comptroller-Normal of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega, defeated incumbent lawmaker Mansur Musa Jega to safe the Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro ticket.
Former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, additionally emerged because the APC candidate for the Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency.
Protests In Niger And Kebbi
Heading to Niger State, some constituencies witnessed protests over alleged makes an attempt to impose candidates.
The Gurara/Tafa/Suleja and Shiroro primaries have been reportedly stalled following disagreements amongst celebration members.
Equally, in Kebbi State, supporters of Bashar Suleman Bajida protested the emergence of incumbent lawmaker Kabir Ibrahim Tukura within the Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/Danko Wasagu Federal Constituency, alleging that some celebration executives compromised the method.
The primaries are a part of the APC’s broader technique to pick candidates for the 2027 basic elections, with Senate primaries and different nomination workouts persevering with within the coming days.
