Ex-NCoS CG, former lawmakers emerge APC Reps candidates in Kebbi 

The All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kebbi State has concluded its House of Representatives primary elections across the state’s federal constituencies ahead of the 2027 general elections, with former lawmakers, ex-public office holders, and incumbent legislators emerging as candidates, mostly through consensus arrangements.

However, at least two serving members of the House of Representatives failed to secure return tickets during the exercise.

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 following the withdrawal of incumbent lawmaker Ibrahim Bello and former Rector of Waziri Umaru Federal Polytechnic, Usman Sani Tunga.

A party official described the process as peaceful, noting that stakeholders adopted a consensus arrangement in the interest of party unity ahead of the 2027 elections.

In Jega/Gwandu/Aliero Federal Constituency, the incumbent lawmaker, Mansur Musa Jega, lost his re-election bid 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 followed consultations among stakeholders and aspirants.

Meanwhile, the incumbent member representing Koko/Besse/Maiyama Federal Constituency, Salisu Garba Koko, secured the APC ticket to seek another term in office.

Similarly, Umar Hassan Augie, popularly known as Turakin Augie, emerged as the party’s candidate for Argungu/Augie Federal Constituency.

In Suru/Bagudo Federal Constituency, Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture, Bello Kaoje, was reaffirmed as the APC candidate through a consensus affirmation process.

Former Minister of State for Humanitarian Affairs, Yusuf Tanko Sununu, also clinched the APC ticket for Yauri/Shanga/Ngaski Federal Constituency after stepping down 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 APC primary in Zuru/Fakai/Sakaba/Danko-Wasagu Federal Constituency was disrupted by protests, as supporters of some aspirants rejected the outcome of the exercise.

Although the incumbent lawmaker, Kabir Ibrahim Tukura, emerged 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 accused some party executives of compromising the process, allegations APC officials in the constituency had yet to officially respond to as of the time of filing this report.

Despite the protest, party officials maintained that the primaries were conducted in accordance with APC guidelines and reflected the collective decisions of stakeholders across the constituencies.

Ex-NCoS CG, former lawmakers emerge APC Reps candidates in Kebbi