Ex-NCoS CG, Former Lawmakers Emerge APC Reps Candidates In Kebbi
The All Progressives Congress in Kebbi State has concluded its House of Representatives primary elections across the state’s federal constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a mix of former lawmakers, ex-public office holders and incumbent members emerging as candidates, mostly through consensus arrangements.
However, at least two serving members of the House of Representatives lost their bids to secure return tickets.
In Birnin Kebbi/Kalgo/Bunza Federal Constituency, former lawmaker and former Chairman of the Kebbi State Emergency Management Agency, Bello Yakubu Rilisco, emerged as the APC candidate after the withdrawal of the incumbent, Ibrahim Bello, and former Rector of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Usman Sani Tunga.
A party official described the process as peaceful, saying the consensus was reached in the interest of unity.
“The stakeholders agreed on consensus in the interest of unity and the party’s chances in the 2027 elections,” the official said.
In Jega/Gwandu/Aleiro Federal Constituency, the incumbent lawmaker, Mansur Musa Jega, lost the opportunity to seek re-election after party stakeholders endorsed former Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Jafar Ahmed Jega, as the consensus candidate.
Party leaders in the constituency said the decision was reached after consultations among stakeholders and aspirants.
Meanwhile, the incumbent member representing Koko/Besse/Maiyama Federal Constituency, Salisu Garba Koko, secured the party’s ticket to seek another term in office.
Similarly, Umar Hassan Augie, popularly known as Turakin Augie, emerged as the APC candidate for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency.
In Suru/Bagudo Federal Constituency, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Bello Kaoje, was reaffirmed as the party’s candidate through consensus affirmation.
Former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, also clinched the APC ticket for Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency after withdrawing from the Kebbi South senatorial race.
For Arewa/Dandi Federal Constituency, the incumbent lawmaker, Rabi’u Garba Kamba, retained the party’s ticket following the withdrawal of some aspirants after a consensus agreement.
However, the exercise in Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/Danko-Wasagu Federal Constituency was marred by protests, as supporters of some aspirants rejected the outcome of the primary.
Although the incumbent lawmaker, Kabir Ibrahim Tukura, emerged as the winner of the contest, supporters of rival aspirant Bashar Suleman Bajida alleged that the process was unfair.
One of the protesters accused party officials of sidelining some aspirants during the exercise.
“We were not properly informed about the process, and some aspirants were denied equal opportunity to participate,” the supporter alleged.
The protesters also claimed that some party executives compromised the process, allegations that APC officials in the constituency have yet to officially respond to.
Despite the protest, party officials maintained that the primaries were conducted in line with APC guidelines and reflected the collective decisions of stakeholders across the constituencies.
