APC Concludes House of Representatives Primaries in Borno State
The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has successfully conducted its House of Representatives primaries across nine of the ten federal constituencies in Borno State. While the exercise bolstered the party’s influence in most areas, three incumbent representatives were unable to secure re-election in their respective districts.
Disruptions in Askira Uba/Hauru Lead to Inconclusive Results
The primaries, which spanned 27 local government areas and 312 constituencies in the state, faced challenges particularly in the Askira Uba/Hauru federal constituency. Following an official protest, officials deemed the results inconclusive, prompting a thorough review by the APC National Appeals Committee.
Stakeholder Consensus Drives Results Amid Challenges
Despite the issues in Askira Uba/Hauru, analysis of the results reveals a concerted effort among Borno APC leaders to forge consensus. This approach enabled several key incumbents to secure their nominations without significant opposition. In the Marte/Monguno/Nganzai federal constituency, for instance, Bukal Talba was elected unopposed, while Muktar Betala Aliyu, Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, also secured his nomination without contest in the Biu/Bayo/Kwaya/Shani constituency.
Consensus Mechanism Promotes New Candidates
The consensus strategy not only benefited incumbents but also saw five emerging candidates unanimously adopted by party representatives. Kaumi Umara Zulum, the younger brother of Borno State Governor Babagana Umara Zulum, clinched the APC ticket for the Dikwa/Konduga/Mafa Federal Constituency. Other candidates who successfully navigated this process included Fatih Kakenna Alkali Monguno from the Mobaru/Guzama/Abadum/Kukawa constituency and Usman Zana from Magumeri/Kaga/Gubio constituency.
Incumbents Win Competitive Primaries
In scenarios where consensus did not prevail, competitive direct primaries were held in two significant districts. Incumbent MP Abdulkadir Rahis emerged victorious in the Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC), securing an impressive 38,576 votes. Meanwhile, Mustafa Abdullahi achieved a decisive win in the Bama/Ngara/Kala Barji federal constituency with 20,509 votes.
Monitoring Bodies Validate Fairness of the Primaries
The Committee overseeing the primaries expressed satisfaction with the adherence to democratic standards throughout the process. They confirmed that the elections were free, fair, credible, and fully compliant with both Section 20 of the APC Constitution and relevant sections of the Electoral Act.
Implications for the Party and Incumbents
With nine constituencies now firmly under the APC’s control, political analysts are closely observing how the National Working Committee (NWC) will address the incomplete ticket for Askira-Uba/Hauru. The candidates who emerged successful will now represent the party, while the primaries marked the end of the road for three incumbents: Zainab Guimba (Bama/Ngala/Kara Baruji), Malam Gana Kareto (Mobaru/Guzamala/Abadam/Kukawa), and Ibrahim Abuna (Konduga/Dikwa/Mafa).
